MIDDLEBURY -- Each year the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, in a tradition that began in 1973, the Middlebury Men's Club thanks the town's senior citizens for their many contributions by giving them a fruit basket.

This year, 24 Middlebury Men's Club members will meet on Tuesday and form an assembly line to make approximately 344 fruit baskets of apples, bananas and grapes. They will then deliver them to the homes of resident age 65 and older in Middlebury. The club divides the town into routes of 12 to 34 baskets each, and one or two club members go out to deliver the baskets on each route. Forty baskets will go to the senior citizen's complex, and six will go to the ADEC group home.

"It doesn't matter if they are an elderly grandmother or a hardworking businessman," said Ernie Miller, Thanksgiving basket project chair. "Everyone over 65 gets a basket. It's a way for us to show our older community members that they are respected and appreciated."

A note in each basket says: "This Thanksgiving basket is our gift to you as a token of our appreciation for all of the honor, distinction and heritage you have brought us as a loyal citizen of our community. Have a Happy Holiday Season."

The fruit baskets are one of the club's most popular service projects, and recipients look forward to receiving them right before Thanksgiving each year.

SEEKING SENIORS

The Middlebury Men’s Club delivers fruit baskets just before Thanksgiving to anyone in town who is 65 and older. They need to know if there’s anyone fitting that criteria who has moved to Middlebury recently and should receive a fruit basket. Callers should contact Ernie Miller, Thanksgiving basket project chair, by telephone at 825-5743, or by mail to P.O. Box 517, Middlebury, IN 46540.x