Eagles out on streets to collect Christmas cheer

The Havre Eagle Riders Club will be hitting the streets today to help raise money and collect toys for the Havre Eagles Club toy drive and the Community Christmas Party.

“Even if it’s a buck, it’s all good,” Havre Eagle Rider Head Trustee Lyle Bender said.

He added that the Eagle Riders will be starting at the Eagle’s Club at 11 a.m. and will be going around to businesses in the area asking if they would be willing to make a donation. He said that any organization or individual is allowed to join them.

Toys can be droped off at the Eagles Club at 202 First St., Old Station Brewing Co. at 140 First St., North 40 Outfitters at 3180 U.S. Highway 2 West, Walmart at 3510 U.S. Highway 2 and the Atrium Mall at 220 Third Ave.

Toys will be picked up Friday.

The toy drive is one of numerous events Havre Eagles are hosting, including its the Community Christmas Party, Havre Eagles Auxiliary President Candace Dess said. She added that the Eagles program is separate from the Salvation Army and every year the Eagles get a number of people who contact them about sponsoring different families. She said they check with the Salvation Army to assure that families are not listed for both programs.

Some families are not necessarily in poverty but are going through a difficult time, such as having a family member ill, she said. But everyone needs a little holiday spirit, she added.

She said the Eagles are also collecting funds for the annual Community Christmas Party, which will be held at the Eagles Sunday at 2 p.m. She added that it is not paid for by the Eagles but through donations and sponsorships and community volunteers helping.

“We just want to make a fun day for families,” Dess said. 

She said the event is free for everyone in the community and will include lunch, door prizes, events for children and families and Santa.

“It’s just a fun family day and my goal has always been to keep it free,” she said.

Dess said that the Eagle Riders will be collecting donation which will go to all of the programs the Eagles Club is working on for the holidays and the Eagle Riders will be able to provide any information people may need to help donate to the events.

Every child will leave Sunday’s event with a present, she said.