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"Bikers for Kids in Need Seeks 'Secret Santas' for Angel Tree"

2024-12-03

During this holiday season, Bikers for Kids in Need is dedicated to serving over 400 children in the community. However, they require more 'Secret Santas' to achieve their goal and make a significant impact.

Helping the Angel Tree Program

Pam Howard, the president and founder of Bikers for Kids in Need, emphasizes the importance of giving during Christmas. "Times may be tough for everyone," she says, "but Christmas is about sharing and making a difference." It's a joyous experience to take a tag and know that you're doing something special for a child in need.For seven years, they have been running the Christmas angel trees, and the need keeps growing each year. Unfortunately, most of the kids on the trees are asking for essential items like winter gear, warm clothes, and hygiene products instead of the typical Christmas gifts. They are one of the few programs that serve children of all ages, from 0 to 18 years old. Along with gifts, they will also be delivering full unprepared Christmas meals to ensure these families have a festive holiday.There are still 47 families' tags that need to be filled by community members. The participating Motorcycle Clubs include Barrons, CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association), Galloping Goose, Hermanos (Great Falls & Electric City Chapters), Horde, NumbSkullz, Servants for Christ (Set Free), Tenacious Dames, USVMC, Warrior Creed, and The Wraith.Howard explains, "The items needed are listed on the back, along with their sizes. You can choose where to shop, get the items, and wrap them. It doesn't matter if it fits in one box or more; just make sure to tag it with the child's name from Santa Claus."The angel trees are located at Scheels and Go! Calendars Toys & Games inside the Holiday Village Mall on 10th Avenue South. Howard adds, "These youth will remember that someone they don't even know cared enough to spend time on them. You have the power to impact a child in your community without them even realizing it."All tags must be returned with the gift items by December 14th to either location. By coming together, we can make this holiday season truly special for these children in need.

Nordstrom is renowned for its exceptional shopping experiences, and during Cyber Monday, it truly shines. With a wide range of products and unbeatable discounts, it's a shopper's paradise. From designer brands to contemporary labels, there's something for everyone. Whether you're looking for clothing, footwear, accessories, or home goods, Nordstrom has you covered.

Unbeatable Cyber Monday Deals at Nordstrom

Winter Gear for the Entire Family

Now through Dec. 2, take up to 60 percent off clothing, footwear, bags, jewelry, and accessories for the entire family. Nordstrom's Cyber Monday sale includes some of the best deals on designer brands like Chloé, Marni, Acne Studios, Valentino Garavani, Proenza Schouler, Stella McCartney, Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, Off-White, and more. Shoppers will also save on contemporary labels such as Ugg, Skims, Beyond Yoga, Topshop, Madewell, Frame, Good American, Topshop, Topman, Vans, The North Face, Adidas, Kate Spade, Sam Edelman, and more alongside the retailer's in-house brands BP., Zella, Treasure + Bond, Open Edit, and others. For example, the Paige Sabelina Merino Wool Blend Sweater is marked down from $249 to $150, a 40% discount. The Lucky Brand Oversized Double-Breasted Coat goes from $228 to $150, a 34% reduction. These are just some of the amazing deals available on winter gear for the whole family.

Gift-Ready Sets and More

To help you sort through the virtual racks, Nordstrom has rounded up some of the best deals to shop. From gift-ready sets to individual items, there are plenty of options. The Givenchy Small Voyou Leather Shoulder Bag is discounted from $1990 to $1393, a 30% savings. The Bombas 3-Pack Ankle Socks go from $36 to $27, a 25% off deal. The Madewell Belted Oversize Trucker Jean Jacket is marked down from $148 to $89, a 40% discount. These gift-ready sets and individual items make it easy to find the perfect presents for your loved ones.

Beauty and Home Goods

Nordstrom also offers great deals on beauty and home goods. The Dyson Airwrap Special Edition is priced at $500 instead of $600, a 17% discount. The Armani Beauty Lip Power Long-Lasting Satin Lipstick is reduced from $45 to $27, a 40% savings. The The Outset Barrier Rescue Balm goes from $38 to $28.50, a 25% off deal. For home goods, the Greenpan Reserve Set of 3 Nonstick Ceramic Frying Pans is marked down from $150 to $105, a 30% discount. These beauty and home goods deals add to the overall value of the Cyber Monday sale.

Kids and Baby Gear

Nordstrom doesn't forget about the little ones. Kids' clothing and baby gear are also on sale. The Nordstrom Kids Plaid Flannel Pajamas are discounted from $45 to $27, a 40% savings. The The North Face Kids’ Campshire Ears Fleece Zip Hoodie goes from $60 to $45, a 25% reduction. The Ugg Kids Classic II Shimmer Boot is marked down from $120 to $90, a 25% off deal. These are just some of the great deals available for kids and baby gear.

Footwear and Accessories

When it comes to footwear and accessories, Nordstrom has some amazing deals. The Nordstrom Marco Burnished Leather Belt is priced at $53 instead of $79, a 33% discount. The Hydro Flask 12-Ounce Coffee Mug is marked down from $28 to $21, a 25% savings. The Dagne Dover Landon Large Neoprene Carryall goes from $215 to $161, a 25% reduction. These footwear and accessory deals complete the Cyber Monday shopping experience at Nordstrom.

In Eau Claire, Wisconsin, it has been nearly a year since HSHS made the difficult decision to close two hospitals and over a dozen clinics in the region. This announcement came as a shock to many, and since then, efforts to address the closure have been ongoing. In early January, state lawmakers will reconvene in Madison to begin their next legislative session. The message they carry is one of hope. State Sen. Jeff Smith from Brunswick emphasizes, "The message I give everyone is a message of hope." This session holds the promise of moving forward in addressing the healthcare shutdown in the Chippewa Valley. As he stated, "This year I decided to just zero in and focus on our healthcare situation here, including nursing educators."

Progress and Challenges in the Past Year

Over the past year, lawmakers dedicated their attention to $15 million designated for emergency departments in the Chippewa Valley. However, there was a lack of agreement between state Republicans and Democrats on how to utilize this funding, resulting in a stalemate. Local hospital staff recognized the potential value of this money. Dr. Brandon Parkhurst, the Vice President of Medical Affairs for Marshfield Medical System – West Market, explained, "We would be able to expand by an additional three to four [emergency department] rooms. We would expand by an additional three rooms, an observation unit if you will." Dr. Richard Helmers, the Regional Vice President of Mayo Clinic Health System – Wisconsin, also emphasized the need for expansion. He said, "We’ll need to expand our campus as we go forward so certainly that capital money helps. I think it’s important for people to realize certainly $15 million is a lot of money but $15 million isn’t enough to really cover all the changes."

Looking Ahead in the New Legislative Session

As a new legislative session approaches, state lawmakers are determined to make more progress. State Senator Jesse James from Altoona sent a statement expressing, "Ever since the closure of Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s Hospitals, we have worked with community leaders and other healthcare systems to try and fill the service gaps in our area. I plan on continuing those partnerships into the next legislative session." Sen. Smith further added, "That $15 million is still there. It’s already approved. It’s not going anywhere. But, I’d like to see if we can add something on so that we have a cushion for future closures. It’s not just about Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley anymore, it’s about the whole state of Wisconsin."Inauguration for the new legislative session is set for January 6. With a new budget to approve, lawmakers are expected to be actively engaged in finding the most effective ways to utilize these funds and support the state. The healthcare situation in Western Wisconsin remains a top priority, and the upcoming session holds the potential for significant changes and improvements.