VERGENNES — Last weekend, the Vergennes Lions and Rotary members worked together, with considerable help from Boy Scout Troop 539, to collect food for the Vergennes Food Shelf to help meet the need for Thanksgiving meals. Over 1,000 pounds of food, over $800 in cash, and 25 turkeys were collected by members standing in front of the Vergennes Shaw’s supermarket. Many thanks to all who donated, the scouts, and to Shaw’s for allowing the collection.

The Vergennes Lions are still collecting Toys for Kids, in cooperation with the Marine Corps League. Toys collected will be available for parents to pick out a few for each of their children on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 17 and 18, at Long Trail on the Falls Physical Therapy on Meigs Road.  Everyone is asked to please help by dropping off unwrapped toys in one of the collection barrels located at Ferrisburgh Bake Shop and Deli, Jackman Fuels, Gaines Insurance, Shear Cuts, One Credit Union, Kinney Drugs, Dollar General, Porky’s Barbecue and Long Trail on the Falls.

The annual Cash for Christmas raffle tickets are still being sold, with the drawing scheduled for Dec. 8, where one person will take home half of the proceeds. Tickets are $10 for one, $20 for three or $40 for eight. Checks, made out to “Vergennes Lions Club,” can be sent to the club at PO Box 94, Vergennes, VT 05491 for the number of tickets you would like, or call Lion Debbie Brace at 802-324-1758. The proceeds go toward the many projects the Vergennes Lions are involved with, such as accessible ramps, eyeglasses, hearing aids, Boys and Girls Club, John Graham Shelter, Bixby Library, Rescue Squad, and many others.