KIMBALL -- Local holiday programs are back for another year, aiming to help families provide magical Christmas experiences for their children. 

Shavonne Singleton will soon be opening the second Annual Christmas Angel Tree to applicants and sponsors. 

Similar to Secret Santa, the Kimball Christmas Angel Tree program will allow families in need to apply to receive gifts for their children from a sponsor. 

Applications will be available starting Nov. 24 and must be returned by Dec. 10. Families in need will fill out an application either by emailing shavonne.singleton@fbfs.com or picking one up in person at the Farm Bureau office in Kimball. 

Families will need to provide details like the child's age (must be 18 years old or younger), gender, clothing sizes, and their Christmas wishes. 

Once she starts receiving applications, she will notify those who have already committed to sponsoring, and anyone else who wishes to be a sponsor can reach her at shavonne.singleton@fbfs.com  or stop at the Farm Bureau office. 

“I do see that there is more of a need this year than last year, and you never hope that people are doing bad, but you always hope that if they need help they don’t shy away from it and actually ask for it,” Singleton said. “I appreciate everybody’s help in what I'm trying to do for the community because without the community support from the members and businesses, it wouldn't be possible.” 

The 15th Annual Holiday Heroes is right around the corner as well. 

The Kimball Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary group is seeking donations for the Annual Holiday Heroes event on Dec. 13 that will provide a day of shopping, excitement and holiday cheer for the less fortunate kids of Kimball. 

Chelsea Autrey of the auxiliary group coordinates with Jamie Murdoch – who teaches at Mary Lynch Elementary – to choose the kids to participate in the event. 

They aim to select 20-25 students each year, depending on what their budget allows, which is funded by local donors. 

Murdoch focuses on the financial needs of the kids’ families, prioritizing those who come from homes with the greatest financial need. She also looks for students who showcase positive behavior and use this as an opportunity to reward them. 

The chosen kids and their parents will start out the morning at the Kimball Fire Hall to enjoy a breakfast provided by the Volunteer Fire Department. Then, the kids split up with first responders in their vehicles to begin their shopping trip. 

“They drive the kids around and turn on all the lights and sirens and take them shopping at the local Dollar General stores,” Autrey said. 

Each kid gets a $100 gift card to spend that day as well as to take home a $50 gift card to the Main Street Market for their families. 

They can shop for themselves and typically choose to pick out gifts for their siblings and parents for Christmas. 

Autrey said: “We love to do this mainly to see the kids excited to be there and get to experience it all with all the local services. The first responders are just as excited to watch the excitement and happiness of the kids." 

The Kimball Police Department, Sheriff's Office, Kimball and Bushnell Fire Departments, EMS, and the State Patrol are all invited to participate. 

“It's neat to get that relationship built between our community officers and the children, so they have that positive experience with the local first responders,” Autrey said.