Esker’s Town & Country new location for giving tree

WITTENBERG — Thirty years ago, Nancy Nueske was the school nurse in Wittenberg. She noticed a need in the community, and The Giving Tree program, where people could anonymously donate items, began.

A few years later, Central Wisconsin Electrical Cooperative partnered with the Toys For Tots program, setting up drop-off locations throughout the local communities. By donating those toys to the Giving Tree program, Nueske is able to include a toy with every student request.

This year, The Giving Tree will be in a new location, Esker’s Town and Country hardware store, 409 S. Webb St., Wittenberg. People can come in during during normal business hours to pick up a tag and drop off a gift.

Basic needs like clothes, pajamas, socks, underwear and jackets are asked for and go to adults and children in the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District. Tags are created with needs and sizes and are hung on a Christmas tree for anyone to pick.

The Giving Tree is up and ready for donations.