City Welfare Office Wants Gift Cards

The City Welfare Department wants to do what it can to help less fortunate Portsmouth area families have an enjoyable holiday season, but they need help.

City Welfare Department Director Ellen Tully is currently asking for donations of gift cards in increments of $25 or less that will allow families who are struggling to go shopping for toys, clothes, CDs, DVDs and books this Christmas.

"As the holiday season approaches, there are families in our community that need help providing gifts for their older children not covered by other area holiday gift programs," reads a press release issued in the November community newsletter.

On Wednesday afternoon, Tully said she received about a half dozen gift cards for stores like Wal-Mart, Old Navy and Toys-R-Us and she is hoping there will be many more. "It's been slim pickings so far," she said.

The gift cards can be for stores located at the Fox Run Mall in Newington or the Crossings at Fox Run or for any department stores in the Portsmouth area. Tully said gifts cards for stores that teens like such as Bull Moose downtown, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble or Gamestop would also be welcome. She said the gift cards will then be distributed to families. Tully said so far people have donated gift cards for $10 and $15.

Tully explained that many toy drives often target younger children and teen-agers are often forgotten. She hopes that if she can give some needy Portsmouth area families gift cards to stores that appeal to their older kids, they will also get something they want from Santa.

"I will do it right up until Christmas," said Tully. "We will be here in the office until 1 p.m. on Dec. 21."

For more information, people can contact Tully at 610-7267 or via e-mail at etully@cityofportsmouth.com.