The Pine Island FISH (Fellow Islanders Sending Help Inc.) Basket Brigade volunteers are compiling the annual list of Pine Island/Matlacha residents who are experiencing economic difficulties to assure that our less fortunate friends and neighbors have a pleasant Christmas. Those who received FISH help for Thanksgiving have been automatically transferred to the Christmas list. For those who did not receive Thanksgiving assistance and wish to be placed on the list, call Peg at 283-3874 or Mary Jo at 283-7862. The cut-off date for requests is Dec. 10.

The Basket Brigade was established in 1991 as a cooperative effort of island churches and organizations to establish just one community-wide effort rather than the previous “scatter gun” approach that often resulted in several baskets for some families while others were overlooked. Last year the brigade provided 136 Christmas baskets covering 92 families (205 children) and 44 individuals or couples. We expect this year’s total to be about the same.

This year will be somewhat different in that FISH will furnish gifts only, but no baskets or boxes of food. Instead, we’ll provide Winn-Dixie gift cards in sufficient amount for a traditional Christmas dinner. The annual gift-wrapping party will take place at Our Lady of Miraculous Church Friday, Dec. 18, at 9 a.m., and distribution will occur on Saturday, Dec. 19, at the same location and time. All islanders are welcome to volunteer for these events; just show up and we’ll put you to work! Wrappers are asked to bring along any left-over gift wrap plus their own scissors.

Contributions for this special holiday program are always welcome and may be sent to Pine Island FISH, P.O. Box 357, Matlacha, FL 33993. The memo line on a check should indicate “Basket Brigade” or “Christmas.”

For further information please call Mary Jo or Peg at the numbers shown above. Be sure to call not later than Dec. 10!