From left, Ida and Henrik Larsen donate several toys to The Mining Journal’s Cheer Club. The Mining Journal’s Cheer Club program has been collecting donations from generous area residents for just over two weeks, but there’s still time to donate, and gifts are still needed for local children. (Journal photo by Taylor Johnson)

MARQUETTE — The Mining Journal’s Cheer Club program has been collecting donations from area residents for just over two weeks, but there’s still time to donate, and gifts are still needed for local children.

“We’re really more in need of donations for older children in the age range of 12 to 16 at this point,” Marquette St. Vincent de Paul manager Rachelle Maki said.

The Cheer Club, which kicked off Nov. 26, collects unwrapped toys and gifts to be donated to local children and families in need during the holiday season. Gifts are distributed to local families through St. Vincent de Paul and The Salvation Army of Marquette County.

Donations for older children could include clothes such as coats or mittens, gift cards, makeup or board games.

“We really thank the community for all their kind donations and helping us help others,” Maki said.

Gifts can be dropped off at The Mining Journal office in downtown Marquette; St. Vincent de Paul in Marquette; Range Bank locations in Marquette, Harvey and Negaunee; Salvation Army locations in Ishpeming and Marquette; and Ace Hardware in Gwinn.

For those who would like to donate at The Mining Journal office, a donation box is in the vestibule of the office along West Washington Street.

Journal staff members are available to take photos of Cheer Club donors who drop off items at The Mining Journal office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Taylor Johnson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is tjohnson@miningjournal.net.