City of El Reno employees collected and donated more than 3,000 food items to El Reno Blessing Baskets as part of the city’s annual employee food drive.

The Community Development Department earned top honors in this year’s Food Drive Challenge, contributing 1,330 items. The El Reno Fire Department followed with 1,268 items. All city departments participated, helping surpass the 3,000-item milestone.

City staff delivered the donations to Blessing Baskets. The visit offered a look into the organization’s work supporting families throughout El Reno.

In November 1980, a group of determined women in a study class at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) identified a critical gap in their community: Rape victims had nowhere to turn for emergency support. By February 1981, their vision became a reality when they incorporated as the Women’s Service Center.

The El Reno Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 151 held its annual Christmas with a Cop over the weekend. The event helped buy holiday gifts for area children.

For a third straight year the Colsen Girty Memorial Poker Run made a key donation, this year raising more than $14,000.

See Saturday’s edition for a wrap-up of the event.

Anyone who is in need of assistance shopping for gifts is invited to attend the Christmas Help and Cheer event set for Dec. 20.

Nancy Salsman said the gathering will provide a “warm and welcoming opportunity for families who have been unable to obtain assistance elsewhere to receive Christmas gifts this season.”

The event will be from 2 to 4 p.m. at Cross Bridge Church, 910 S. Reno.

For more information, contact Salsman at 405-641-4284 or email nms_1958@yahoo.com.