Volunteers with the Rhineland Empty Stocking Fund hit a record pace Saturday morning while packing hampers and wrapping gifts. Chair Cindy Hildebrand says it took about one hour for one hundred people to wrap 1,300 gifts and pack 175 hampers.

"It started at nine o'clock and I looked at the clock when everything was done and it was ten-oh-three...so it was a really productive morning."

And while this part of the process is complete, there is another way we can help make the 2016 effort a success.

100 people helped wrap 1,300 gifts and pack 175 hampers

"Whatever is left in the reserve goes toward next year but at this point we are still looking for funds to cover our costs for this year," explains Hildebrand.

Cash donations are being accepted at Rexall in Altona; Access Credit Union locations in Gretna, Altona and Plum Coulee or can be mailed to Box 2255, Altona MB.

Meantime, the hampers will be distributed throughout the area with packages going to families in Plum Coulee, Gretna, Rosenfeld, Altona and within the Municipality of Rhineland.

"We're sitting at about a hundred and sixty referrals but if you have a last minute referral we are still accepting it," notes Hildebrand.

She says volunteers will gather once again at the old Sawatzky's Furniture building Saturday morning to load up the hampers and deliver them. Those interested in lending a hand can show up at 9 a.m.