Donations are once again being accepted for the annual Children’s Christmas Tree Fund.

The nealry 90-year-old Natchez tradition invites community participation in a fund to provide Christmas gifts to some 300 needy children each year.

The project was started in the early 1900s by former Democrat publisher James Lambert and is continued today by a group of volunteers and the Santa Claus Committee.

Donations may be mailed to the fund c/o Brown Barnett Dixon’s, 511-515 Main St., Natchez, Miss., 39120, or c/o The Natchez Democrat, P.O. Box 1447, Natchez, Miss., 39121.

Gifts may be given in honor or memory of a loved one or friend, and all donations will be acknowledged through the newspaper.

Donations received so far include:

— Lady Luck, $1,000

— In honor of U.S. Air Force Maj. T. Waring Bennett Jr., MIA&160;in Vietnam, $50.

— In memory of Kim Parker Wolverton from the Clarence Eyrich Family, $50.

— Happy Birthday to Katherine K. from Eualie Bull, $15.

— Jeannie Peabody, $25.

— In memory of Papa Ken and Mimi from Megan and Catherine, $25.

— In memory of Kim Parker Wolverton, from the Don Killelea Family, $25.

— Joe and Micki Hartley, $50.

— Natchez Ballet Academy, $50.

— ABATE of Mississippi, River Cities Chapter, $270.12

— Anonymous, $50

— In memory of Ellen Ricci, $50

— In honor of Curt, Trey, Jenny and Eli, from Grandmother, $10

— Mr. and Mrs. Robert Costa, $10

— MacKenzie, Lee, Devan and Alex, $25.

— Anonymous, $100.

— In memory of Myrtle S. Davis, $50.

— In loving memory of Bobby Irby, $25.

— From Carter and Tyler, $20.

— In memory of Hailey Estes, from Mr. and Mrs. Glenvall Estes, $20.