By Rita LeBleu

DeQuincy Masons showed their support of DeQuincy Community Christmas and the DeQuincy News at the Tuesday, Oct. 6 meeting at Masonic Lodge 279.

At the meeting to report on Angel Tree, and how it works as part of DeQuincy Community Christmas was Suzann Threet.

Threet told Masons that 285 children received Christmas gifts last year, thanks to their support.

“You don’t realize the need until you see it,” Threet said, adding that many of the gifts qualify as “needs,” such as coats, shoes and uniforms.

“We do add in some wants,” she said,” but we do not give electronics or gift cards.” 

Threet said families are vetted and may not apply for Christmas gift help from any other organization if they apply with Angel Tree. School counselors help provide names of students.

Jeffra DeViney, DeQuincy News, told Masons that the paper has been a part of this community for 103 years.

She also told Masons about the popularity of the paper’s archives.

Mason Lanty Wiley recalled his late mother’s weekly, without-fail ritual of buying a DeQuincy News.

It’s a habit shared by others, DeViney noted,

“We are not just a the newspaper but Wednesday events for our readers,” DeViney said.

The DeQuincy News covers local news for DeQuincy, Starks, Vinton, Singer, Ragley, Longville, Fields and Merryville.

Mason Cavin Lecket. noted that the newspaper builds community by telling the stories of people’s lives.