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To help those in need this season, Bristle Crios has paired with several local business to take donations. Hats, coats, gloves, toys, cans of food and much more are needed. Barrels decorated with ribbons and a cheerful bows sit waiting for your kindness. Donate December 1st through the 24th!

Please post images or details about your donations below!

If you would like a barrel to help collect, please pm Miranda Branson or Fiona O'Neill.

Shy, Gunnar and those employed at the White Stag Pub make sure that everyone who steps foot inside the Olde World European-style Bar is informed about Bristle Crios' Gifts From the Heart holiday charity collection, and are directed toward the gaily decorated barrel that has been strategically placed near the door. A sign tacked to the wall directly above the barrel states that anyone who makes a donation of (unused/new) clothing, blankets, toys, and/or canned food items will receive one beverage on the house.

Collected 'to date' are the following items: A variety of stuffed toy animals, 2 rag dolls, 2 sock monkeys, 2 pairs of children's slippers, several hats, mittens and scarves.

The incentive is working well. After all, who does not like a free drink?

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At the A.R.K. Veterinary clinic, nestled within the caring home of Sean and Lorelia, Calibri moved the donation barrel in to place and pondered how to make it attractive. She added not ribbon, but various brightly hued strips of Vet Wrap then wrote with a Sharpie

~Please Feed Me! Donate to the Homeless!~

That done, she made sure the barrel was in the center of the waiting room, put some glittery cotton batting around the barrel for snow and then added pictures of all the clients they had and their cute pets to the barrel's exterior. These were clients she knew of that had no money and that father had been so kind to give away free services too. With Sean's permission she added a sign to the barrel.

~Donate to the homeless and receive a free exam and vaccinations for all of you pets!~

Collected so far: 8 Bags of assorted pet foods for homeless families with pets or service animals. 12 Pairs of rugged, well made boots from various farming families. About 3 boxes filled with home canned vegetables, fruits, jams and jellies. 2 Boxes of assorted cured meats. Several vouchers for free eye and health exams.

Another sign was added to the barrel.

~I understand everyone loves to help the Homeless cause, but please, please, please do not stuff anymore living animals into the barrel! Speak with me and I will list your names and what you wished to donate that is living and hand the list to Bristle Crios. They will contact you with the families or persons that are in need. I am also taking names of anyone homeless out there that needs medical services for pets or service animals. Neither of you need to starve or go without help. All services will be free, supplies as well.

Sincerely, DVM Sean Walley~

As soon as the charity barrel was delivered to ConColor Nightclub it was placed it front of and to one side of the reservation table so people entering and leaving could see it. The top middle and bottom were trimmed in wide glowing red and green crysilk bows the top circled by a holograph of 8 couples of dancing snowpeople. On the desk behind and to one side of the barrel, on a propped scroll bares the message in large script,

"gifts of love bring joy to both those who receive and those who give"

The patrons of ConColor Nightclub would surely receive a lot of joy after just a few days Ander found in the barrel 12 wool hats in different colors and sizes 8 wool scarves and mitten sets in different colors and sizes 16 stuffed animals of different types and sizes 27 cans of canned goods 87 silver crowns (to which Ander added 13 to make it an even 100)

Kruger wasn't telling where things came from that lined the barrel in his shop. He wouldn't speak of time spent away from the forge as he went from store to store and made purchases. He may have gone a bit overboard though filling his barrel up with clothes. Perhaps the box full of plush toys would be considered too much though. They were loaded onto a cart and brought to the grounds to be placed along with the things coming in from other places.

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(Clothing pic found here. Toy box pic found here.)

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At Rebels of the Sacred Heart Distribution Company, a barrel was set out in the center of the warehouse floor. As deliveries came in the fuller the barrel. Truckers from all over dropping off hand made goodies, although be it a strange sense of humor. Who knew knitting and crocheting could brighten the holidays.

For free patterns in knitting click Here. For free patterns in crochet click Here.