It’s all a part of continuing the Fruth tradition of community service.

That’s why the Fruth Pharmacy in Proctorville is sponsoring two special Christmas drives this year. First, the pharmacy is collecting canned goods to supplement the food basket program being distributed this month at the Chesapeake Community Center.

Organizers of the food program supported by the 15 churches that make up the Community Mission Organization expect to supply baskets to at least 550 families.

Patrons can bring in non-perishable food items to the drugstore or as they are checking out, they can purchase items that are on display near the checkout counter.

Also, the Shriners are using the store as a drop-off place for the toys they are collecting to donate to children in local hospitals.

Both campaigns are going well, says store manager, Patty Holley.

“They came last week and picked up a bunch,” she said about the food drive. “I think this is important. We are trying to help out the community. Mr. Fruth, that was a part of his philosophy.”

For several years, the Proctorville store did what it called a senior tree, collecting gift requests from those living in nursing homes and asking its patrons to help out with the gifts.

Headquartered in Point Pleasant, W.Va., the family-run pharmacy chain of 25 stores in the Tri-State was begun by the late Jack Fruth.

“We have always been community-oriented,” Holley said. “Huntington has a lot of organizations but Ohio is kind of spread-out. We try to help out.”