The great American autobiographer and poet Maya Angelou once said, “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”

As the cold November winds remind us, old man winter is lurking just around the corner, and there are many children in Shelby County who need help staying warm. Now you have the opportunity to liberate your soul and help out that needy child with warm gloves or mittens and caps at the eleventh annual Moto Service Station “Mitten Tree”. Moto is located at 1003 W. Main St., Shelbyville.

Rose Coleman manager of the Moto Service Station said the Mitten Tree is up in the station and ready for donations.

“We have been doing this for about 11 years now and we will continue as long as I am manager,” said Coleman. “I hope the people of Shelbyville will be as generous as they have in the past because there is an even bigger need this year due to the poor economy.”

The way the program works is, generous people purchase children’s mittens or gloves and hats or caps and drop them off at the service station. The employees and management collect these donations and then turn them over to the Angel of Love program where they are distributed to those in need.

Coleman reminds people that if you do not have the time to shop for these items, you may give a cash donation and Coleman will purchase more mittens or caps.

Coleman also reminds residents she will give a cup of coffee or fountain soft drink to those who donate. The deadline for this program is December 15.

Diane Wheeler of Shelby Christian Church, which is the partner church this year that will be coordinating The Angel of Love program, agreed with Coleman that the need is huge this year.

“We are thinking we will have somewhere between 420 and 430 names of children in need this year for the Angel of Love program,” said Wheeler.

Wheeler also reminds folks that the Angel of Love tags are out in the businesses now.

“We are hoping to have the gifts and tags back by December 1,” continued Wheeler. “Then we will be looking for volunteers who can wrap because that is such a big job.”

Wheeler went on to say that when you figure about 420 names and each name usually receives 4-5 gifts that can amount to over 2,000 gifts that have to be wrapped.

If you would have some extra time the wrapping will take place at 142 N. Morgan St., the old Mid-Illinois Technologies Building. The wrapping dates and times are: Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 8, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 9, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 11, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec.12, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Distribution of gifts will be made December 19 and 21.

Wheeler also wanted to remind residents that if they do not have the time to shop for the program, they can donate money and volunteers from The Angel of Love will do the shopping for them.