The Tree of Hope is a Kemna for Kids Foundation, which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Each child will receive a coat, gloves/hat, pajamas, shirt/pant set, undergarments, socks, shoes and a toy.

This year about 358 children are signed up.

That number, according to Tanya Elliott, an accounting employee at Kemna, has gone up.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Dozens of gifts fill an office at Kemna Auto of Fort Dodge Monday afternoon. The gifts were all donated as part of the Tree of Hope project, which distributes coats, gloves, hats, pajamas, shirts, socks, shoes, and a toy for children in need.

“The need is definitely great,” Elliott said Monday. “Unfortunately.”

Charlotte Hippen, another accounting employee, said there’s about 100 more children on the list this year.

The list of names is acquired through schools, churches, and the general public.

“We had a lot more kids this year,” Hippen said. “But not as many donors.”

On Monday, sacks of presents from Target filled an office at Kemna.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Dylan Drummond, sales consultant at Kemna Auto of Fort Dodge, carries multiple bags of presents Monday afternoon.

“That’s just some of them,” said Eric Hippen, general manager. “It just keeps growing.”

Charlotte Hippen and Elliott helped collect the presents and wrap them.

Jason Fitzgerald, sales manager; Autumn Williams, sales consultant; and Dylan Drummond, sales consultant; each helped load the toys into a pickup truck in the showroom.

The toys will be distributed to children today.