How Giving Tree helps needy at Gould school

The Madera County Employees Giving Tree has been helping the Norman Gould Educational Center families and Madera Christmas Basket program for more than 45 years.

Several retired county employees have been organizing bake sales and raffles for many years, and the proceeds are used to provide food and gifts at Christmas to families with special needs children. Wilma McKee, who was a Madera County switchboard operator, began helping the school approximately 45 years ago with toys and educational items given to the school.

The program has grown, and we are now providing food gift cards along with clothing, toys, blankets and other needed items to approximately 45 families each Christmas. Many individuals, churches and organizations are also helping with this program.

Money raised from the bake sales and raffles is also given to the Madera Christmas Baskets each year. This past year, we were able to give $3,500 to the Madera Christmas Baskets.

Many retired county employees help with these bake sales and raffles, including Jackie Emo, Marsha Williams, Louise Lucckesi, Rita Wilson, Douglas Nelson, and other volunteers, Ila Scheottler, Debi Brown, Rickard Lucckesi and Cyndi Wood. Special thanks to our county supervisors and county employees, who also give so generously.