With just one week until Christmas, the holiday season is in full swing. For some, it means checking off shopping lists, baking, wrapping gifts and preparing for relatives to arrive. For many, it’s a season of quiet reflection and sacred celebrations of a savior.

For almost everyone, it’s the season of giving.

While gift-giving often occurs within families and circles of friends, you may be looking for ways to make Christmas merrier for others in need.

In Powell, you don’t have to look far to find worthy causes this holiday season.

Over the past month, we have featured several stories about people in our community who could use some extra support.

Of course, the following list doesn’t include every family or individual facing difficulties this Christmas season, nor does it highlight all of the wonderful charitable organizations that make a difference in our community. But this list does provide some local examples of ways to give if you need ideas this Christmas.

• Backpack Blessings Program: Dozens of children receive food through the Backpack Blessings Program, organized by several local church congregations. On average, 70 elementary school students in Powell go home with a backpack each week, ensuring they have food for snacks and meals at home.

Without the program, we know some of these children would go hungry on weekends.

An outreach account is set up through the Union Presbyterian Church in Powell, with 100 percent of the money spent on the children.

For more information on how to donate, contact Nancy Roberts at 754-2748 or look for Powell High School students’ fundraising table at upcoming school-related events.

• Christmas Basket program: For decades, dozens of children and families have received gifts and food through the Powell Christmas Basket program. Last year, 126 baskets were given to people on tight budgets. This year, residents again will be blessed through the program.

Baskets will be distributed on Tuesday at the Army National Guard Armory, 1102 E. Seventh St. in Powell. Through Sally’s Boutique, used clothing, furniture and appliances will be given away from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 24-30 at the old One Stop Motorsports store at 555 S. Fair St. in Powell.

Folks can take donations to Sally Montoya’s home at 253 N. Ferris St., or arrange to bring items to the old One Stop location by calling Montoya at 307-202-1663.

• Helena De Fina Community Wellness Endowment Fund: Prior to her unexpected death in January, Helena De Fina of Powell was a dedicated advocate for many community efforts — health, wellness, literacy, arts and education as well as combating substance abuse, domestic violence and animal cruelty. 

To carry on her legacy of helping others, an endowment fund was created to invest in projects in the realm of De Fina’s passions.

To donate, send checks to the Wyoming Community Foundation to 1472 N. 5th St., Suite 201, Laramie, WY 82072, and indicate on the memo line or an accompanying note that the donation is for The Helena De Fina Community Wellness Endowment Fund. For more information, call Dawn Garrison at 307-899-1175 or Diane Ballard at 307-272-8744. 

• Horner family: On a terrible September day, Alan Horner of Powell found his 12-year-old son, Aaron, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. Aaron is continuing to show signs of improvement at a Colorado hospital and may be transferred to a specialized center in Nebraska.

Alan Horner has been traveling between Powell and Denver, while his wife, Yarti, has remained in Colorado with Aaron. The family is hoping to be together for Christmas. To help the family with related expenses, visit www.gofundme.com/f3o0u0. An account has been set up at Big Horn Federal.

• Benander family: After years of enduring heart problems, Greg Benander of Powell recently underwent a heart transplant. He is doing well and is recovering after the Dec. 7 surgery. 

A fundraiser over the summer raised money for the family, but assistance is still needed to help with related expenses. There is a medical account set up at Big Horn Federal under the family’s name or “Gifts from the Heart for Greg.”

• Pike family: Longtime Powell resident Theresa Pike is recovering in a Houston hospital after suffering a massive brain hemorrhage on the morning of her son’s wedding in November. The accident occurred at a resort in Mexico, and the Pike family had to pay thousands of dollars to get Theresa transferred back to the United States.

They still face steep medical bills, and fundraising efforts are underway to help Theresa and her husband, Jim Pike, who is with her in Houston.

To donate online, visit www.gofundme.com/hmvwpk. An account also has been set up at First Bank of Wyoming.

• Reidinger family: 7-year-old McKinzee Riedinger of Powell is facing reconstructive surgery after she was unexpectedly attacked by a pet in October. In the attack, she lost the top portion of her right ear and suffered multiple bites to her face.

“We have good health insurance, but obviously we’re at the end of the year and we have deductibles (that) have to be met and co-pays,” mother Kim Riedinger said. Insurance also doesn’t cover things like travel.

To help the family with related medical expenses, friends launched an online fundraising effort at www.gofundme.com/gkw9pc.

We’re amazed at how people in Powell continually come together to take care of one another, at the holidays and throughout the year. In this season of giving, we know generosity and Powell’s giving spirit will be evident — blessing those who give as well as those who receive.