Students in Jo Ann Baugus' Computer Aided Drafting program at Central Tech, Drumright, took time out from their studies Thursday, Dec. 16 th , to assist the Central Oklahoma Community Action program in downtown Cushing distribute thousands of food products and holiday gifts to over 150 eligible families.

The Cushing Action's Christmas Store, as it is called, distributes presents and toys for children, from newborns to 18 years of age, in needy families that have applied for assistance. The families also receive a holiday food basket containing a frozen turkey, potatoes, stuffing, green beans, corn, onions, apple, oranges and other canned goods and food items, according to program coordinator Donna Holderread.

Local businesses and civic organization's generous donations of food, toys and cash make the massive family assistance effort a reality each year, says Holderread. Volunteers then spend weeks wrapping the gifts and tagging each for a specific child on an application list.

Holderread said 153 applied for help this year and the Action staff was grateful for the students from Central Tech, as well as others in the community, who placed the food and gifts in boxes and carried them to the applicant's cars.