Raffle boxes for donors to the TV6 Canathon and the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots programs are pictured at the U.P. Home Health and Hospice office. The agency is collecting donations of toys and non-perishable goods at the U.P. Home Health and Hospices in Marquette and Ishpeming, organizers said. Those who drop off three non-perishable items and/or an unwrapped toy valued at $5 will have a chance enter a raffle to win one of two Polaroid 55 inch 4K Smart LED Televisions. Items can be dropped off at either location by Dec. 5 for the canathon and by Dec. 13 for Toys for Tots items to qualify for the drawing. (Photo courtesy of U.P. Home Health and Hospice.)

MARQUETTE — Looking for a way to help neighbors in need this holiday season?

U.P. Home Health and Hospice is working with the TV6 Canathon and the United States Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots programs in “their efforts to help our community during the holidays,” by collecting donations of toys and non-perishable goods at the agency’s offices in Marquette and Ishpeming, organizers said.

“It’s important to remember that not everybody is in the same situation this holiday season, that many of our friends and neighbors are going through hard times,” said Kori Tossava, director of community services at U.P. Home Health and Hospice. “We believe this season is about being thankful for what you have and giving when you can help. We hope everybody feels the same.”

Furthermore, those who drop off three non-perishable items and/or an unwrapped toy valued at $5 will have a chance to win one of two Polaroid 55-inch 4K Smart LED Televisions.

“Our goal is to get as many people helping as possible,” Tossava said, noting participants can enter the two drawings as many times as they would like.

Those who wish to participate may drop off their items to either location by Dec. 5 for the canathon and by Dec. 13 for Toys for Tots items to qualify for the drawing.

“If you miss or didn’t win for the canathon deadline, you have another chance for the Toys for Tots. They’re two separate drawings,” she said.

The local nonprofit hospice agency has been collecting donations and offering prizes for those who donate for many years, Tossava said.

“We’ve been doing this for quite a few years — but the prizes change — because we know that these programs do such great work for our community and we want to do whatever we can to help them be successful,” she said.

It’s a joy for the agency and its staff to participate in the collection of donations each season, she said.

“We’ve been in this community for a long time and we know how special it is,” Tossava said. “We are just happy that our business has been able to call this place our home for almost 50 years and we want to help, when we can, make it a special home for others.”

U.P. Home Health & Hospice, a nonprofit organization that has served the area since 1973, provides home health, hospice and private duty to individuals after a “surgery, illness, or a new or life-limiting diagnosis,” according to officials.

“Our focus is on exceptional quality care and we maintain a philosophical approach to care that focuses on empowering people to live life to the fullest,” organizers said in a press release. “This philosophy is the driving force for UPHHH to provide home health, hospice, and private duty. This approach empowers us to support virtually any need of our clients, with seamless transitions between services if the need arises.”

Items can be dropped off at the Marquette office, located at 1125 W. Ridge St. or the Ishpeming office, which is located at 510 Mather Avenue.

The Marquette office can be reached at 906-225-4545. The Ishpeming office can be reached at 906-485-4545.

Visit uphomehealth.org for more information on U.P. Home Health and Hospice.

Cecilia Brown can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248.