The Society of Samaritans (SOS) in Magnolia is opening its doors to families in need of food and toys within the Magnolia ISD area during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

The organization provides baskets with food and necessities to area families prior to Thanksgiving and Christmas in an effort to help them enjoy their holidays.

SOS Lynette Gibbons volunteer said this year the organization has seen an increase in new clients.

“A lot of senior citizens come every year, but 30 or 40 percent are brand new clients,” Gibbons said. “Some (clients) we’ve just been helping this year.”

According to Gibbons, SOS was one of the largest local organizations to donate toys last year, helping about 530 families. So far this year, SOS has registered 165 families for assistance for Thanksgiving and Christmas. That number includes 743 people total, of which 397 are children.

“Numbers are really high right now, but they (registered families) have come as a result of word of mouth,” Gibbons said.

SOS will deliver Thanksgiving food baskets on Nov. 22 beginning at 10 a.m. Volunteers will arrive at the Montgomery County Community Development Center on Friendship Drive to pick up the baskets and have their routes assigned to them.

In addition, SOS has a few families with special needs children who have registered for the holidays.

“Some of their needs are electric wheelchairs, so we’re trying to get them the extra help they need,” Gibbons said.

Families, churches and organizations are able to sponsor a family or give donations to SOS.

Some families are getting creative this year, according to Gibbons. One family contacted SOS and requested to sponsor a family with an equal number of members. Gibbons said normally the family draws names and buys gifts for that person. However, this year they want to draw names of those they are sponsoring to start a new Christmas tradition.

Families needing assistance for Thanksgiving can register at the SOS office on Friendship Drive in Magnolia on Nov. 8 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Christmas sign ups are Dec. 3, 6, 10 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To give donations or be a sponsor, visit www.societyofsamaritans.com.

The SOS is also looking for new board members to join its organization. SOS is a non-profit organization that is made up of other non-profit organizations.  Every non-profit organization in the greater Magnolia area or that serves the people of that area is welcome to join. 

Organizations interested in joining SOS can call 281-259-8452, or visit the office between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Development Center on Friendship Drive.

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