Some ideas for service on Extra Mile Day

At this month's monthly meeting, the Borough Assembly approved a resolution dedicating November 1 to be "Extra Mile Day."

An annual proclamation,

the designation is meant to encourage community members to "go the extra mile" in

personal effort, volunteerism and service. That can manifest itself in many ways, with a number of opportunities coming up this holiday season.

Representing the town's

collective churches, the Wrangell Ministerial Association will be holding its 15th annual Thanksgiving Basket distribution on November 20. Each year the drive collects resources in order to provide traditional holiday meals to those who could use them, be they single-parent households, multiple member families, those coping with illness or catastrophe, or individuals.

Costs of the individual

meals vary depending on the recipients, but organizers Don and Bonnie Roher anticipate this year the project will

distribute $4,627 worth of food this year. As with other

years, the couple collects

contributions through the help of WMA churches and individual donations, with the intention of covering the balance themselves to make sure no table goes bare on Thanksgiving.

Any extra items and

money then goes forward to support the Salvation Army's annual Christmas Basket drive, which will start collecting items next month. For

those interested in contributing to the Thanksgiving drive or volunteering, contact the Rohers at 305-0319. Likewise, people are invited to nominate others they think might benefit from the program.

Wrangellites have also

turned their attention to helping people abroad, with WMA holding its annual Operation Christmas Child drive last weekend. With a target of 187 gift packages in mind but

pushing for 200, volunteers with the group turned the Nolan Center's conference hall into a sort of Santa's workshop,

filling boxes with an assortment of toys, school

supplies, hygiene items and other treats.

Individual sponsors help cover the cost of the boxes, averaging around $20 to fill and ship. Contributing families this year have been encouraged to enclose letters as well, and Susan Haggard said they were trying to include family pictures for a more personal touch. Boxes filled and wrapped in the long-standing program then get sent to Samaritan's Purse International Relief, which then arranges for their distribution worldwide.

Opportunities to volunteer can be found elsewhere,

such as helping to serve meals at the local Senior Center's weekday lunches, or by

helping out with the odd chore or spot of maintenance around the facility. At the

American Legion Hall, extra sets of hands are always welcome.

"I'll give them a job and a shovel, or a lawn mower," promised Marilyn Mork, president of the Post Auxiliary. People interested in helping out can give her a call at 874-2189.

Other opportunities to consider can be found outdoors, even something as simple as picking up and disposing of scraps of trash one may encounter in town or on surrounding trails. The United States Forest Service is looking for people or groups

interested in sponsoring some of the Wrangell District's more far-flung cabins. Recreators can also report any incidental

maintenance they may have done while staying at a

particular site, using forms available at the ranger's office. Being the off-season, the district is looking for additional ideas for programming and other services for the coming summer.

"If people have ideas on how to help, we would love that as well," said USFS interpreter Corree Delabrue. To submit an idea, contact her at the district office at 874-2323.

In supporting Extra Mile Day, Wrangell joins 550 other communities around the country in promoting good citizenship through the Extra Mile America initiative. With a little imagination, the potential to go that extra step is boundless.