The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

By Deb Wolfe

OSAGE BEACH, MO.-- Since 1984, Candyland has assisted over 10,000 children in Camden, Miller and Morgan with Christmas supplies.

Each year, Candyland volunteers fulfill wish lists of children who wouldn’t have presents under the tree otherwise.

"When people come to the Stonecrest Mall, they can visit Candyland, pick a candy cane from the tree and go buy the presents,” Lake Ozark Rotary spokesperson Karen Hughes said. “They bring the gifts back to us, we wrap and deliver them to area school districts.”

Among the 500 Christmas lists to be filled this year, are requests for everything from toys to basic necessities like socks, mittens and warm sweaters.

"We've been doing it for several years and we feel it is a good program,” shoppers Bob Jaekel and Candy Feltz agreed during a recent stop at the lake Ozark Rotary Candyland office. “It makes us feel good to participate in the holiday season.”

Making those lists and checking them twice, is a massive undertaking. Candyland elves are thankful for the support they receive from fellow community members.

"The Tri-County YMCA has helped tremendously over the years, as well as Bootleggers and the Gala of Trees," Hughes said. “Scholastic helps by donating books each year.”

In its second year, the Gala of Trees has raised thousands of dollars by auctioning off Christmas trees donated by Lake Area businesses.

Members of the Lake Ozark Marine Dealers Association (LOMDA) continued their decade long tradition of giving with a cash donation and lending a hand with gift wrapping.

"We have members in Miller, Camden and Morgan counties and it's very important to support those who support us,” LOMDA President, Mark Massen said. “That's why we're here, to take care of those people. It could be any number of people that have been affected by the economy or bad times, anything we can do to help - it's a wonderful thing."

Even CEOs roll up their sleeves to apply ribbons and bows.

"I'm well-suited for this job,” Lake Regional Health System CEO Michael Henze said. “I paid my way through college working in a retail store and had to wrap presents every Christmas."

The generosity often exceeds Lake Area boundaries. One year a vacationer came to the rescue when donations fell short.

 "She wrote a check for $8,000 and insisted that she remain anonymous,” Rotary member Ron Calvin said. “And that's the sort of thing we've had since 1984."

On Dec. 14, Rotary volunteers will don their Santa hats and deliver their holiday bounty to area schools, turning a sweet treat into a sleigh full of Christmas cheer.

Candyland will be open through the weekend.