Helping Giving Tree 'grow' some more...

Mike Buckner, general manager for the local Wal-Mart store, presents a $500 check to Ellen DuMars and Lori Posey from the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce during a presentation Dec. 21.

The local department store donated the money to benefit the local Giving Tree program for financially strapped families in the Mountain Home community.

During last week's presentation, the store presented an additional $1,000 to the Boise Rescue Mission, which expected to serve more than 4,500 people across southern Idaho during the Christmas season. Earlier this month, store employees volunteered 300 hours at the Grace Luthern Food Pantry and presented the relief organization a total of $1,000 in gift cards to help needy families. Photo by Brian S. Orban