The Panola County Secret Santa Project is finalizing plans for the 2009 Christmas season.  

Applications for families seeking help may be picked up from the Batesville, Sardis, Como, and Crenshaw Public Libraries beginning Monday, November 2.  

Completed applications must be returned to the library by December 1.

“Last year over 560 children were served by Secret Santa in Panola County,” chairman John White said. “We need your help in serving these underprivileged children again.”

There are several ways people can help with the project, White said.  Individuals and groups can volunteer to “adopt” children and supply Christmas gifts for them. Or people can provide monetary support for the project, or purchase and drop off individual gifts (new and unwrapped) at collection locations across the county.

To adopt children from the list of screened applicants, contact Diane Davis at 662-604-0496 or Wendy Isbell 662-604-2000.

There will be drop-off points for gifts in Sardis at First Security Bank and Renasant Bank, in Batesville at First Security Bank, Bancorpsouth, Renasant Bank and the First United Methodist Church and in Como and Crenshaw at the First Security Bank.

Also additional volunteers are needed on the Secret Santa committee.  

Monetary contributions can be taken by the Batesville Presbyterian Church or mailed to Panola County Secret Santa, P. O. Box 428, Sardis, MS  38666.  

The next meeting of the Secret Santa steering committee is scheduled for 5:30 on November 10 at the Sardis Presbyterian Church.  All interested persons are encouraged to attend.