The show must go on for Share-A-Christmas

The show must go on for Share-A-Christmas
Dave Mast

The usual hot pocket of activity in the Baker Building on SAC delivery day may take on a different look and feel this year due to COVID restrictions, but the purpose and drive of the many volunteers remains as Share-A-Christmas moves forward.

                        

Holmes County Share-A-Christmas volunteer chairman Bob Porter and his band of merry men who help collect canned goods at all of the area schools walked into Mt. Hope Elementary on Tuesday, Nov. 24 to the sight of a mountain of canned goods.

Every year Holmes County schools perform food drives that help put food on the table of all of the hundreds of families who are recipients of the kindness of many students who bring in items. From west to east, students have been diligent in making sure SAC has plenty of food to go around, but with COVID-19, things have changed this year.

Or have they?

The answer to that is yes and no. Because West Holmes schools are closed and have moved to online learning, the drive on that end has suffered, but not by any fault of anyone. On the east, where schools remain open, the students have responded like always. The trucks making the rounds are stacked full as Porter’s crew hits Mt. Hope, Winesburg, Walnut Creek and Hiland Middle School while another van collects at Wise School on a one-day grand tour around East Holmes schools.

The food continues to come in, but what amazes Porter is that in addition to the food, he received checks from the schools: $1,400 at one school, $2,000 at another and $800 at another.

What astounds Porter is SAC has never asked the schools to donate any money, only the canned goods, but each school seems to want to do more in aiding the SAC effort to provide Christmas toys, food and more to area families in need.

“It warms my heart to walk into a school and see all of this food, and then they hand me a check,” Porter said. “I don’t ask for money. I have never asked for money, and the schools have continued to raise money. It is truly a giving spirit of the people of this county to help others.”

Helping others is exactly why Share-A-Christmas was created nearly three decades ago. Several area leaders saw a need in the community, and what began as a small community outreach turned into a large operation that has seen a multitude of people get on board and help.

Porter said because so many people have done such an excellent job of leading and operating every aspect of the SAC effort, each year the operation runs like a well-oiled machine, as each group does its part.

Having served 226 families in each of the past two years and more than 300 families the year prior, Porter said the current numbers stand at around 150 families this year. That is down, but Porter said they will be ready for however many families sign up.

“We really don’t have any idea as to how many families we will end up with or even how things will progress as we go through this during COVID-19, so we are taking things one day at a time, and we will see what happens,” Porter said. “All I know is that we have incredible leadership, and we will make it happen.”

With less food coming in from the west and churches being either closed or limited in attendance, there may be additional needs. Porter said that is simply something they will deal with once they find out where SAC stands on its giving.

Even delivery day will take on a different look. Each year dozens of people gather in the Baker Building at Harvest Ridge to gather toys and canned goods and place them in designated squares that denote each family’s list of items. Included in that list are toys that have been specifically requested by children in that family.

In the past toys were taken to West Holmes High School, where students and staff helped wrap and deliver them to the Baker Building. That all hanged this year with the school closed, forcing a change of venue. The collection drop spot moved to the Baker Building.

What delivery day will look like come Saturday, Dec. 12 is anyone’s guess, but there are no guesses when it comes to the final outcome of Share-A-Christmas 2020.

“One way or another, this group will find a way to make it all happen and get it done,” Porter said. “We’ve faced issues before, and it has always worked itself out, and I don’t doubt that will happen again because these people truly have a passion to serve and take care of people in their community.”

Volunteers like Linda Frenette, who takes care of the computer side of things, send out applications to Holmes County families. Applications also are available through Job and Family Services and at the Holmes County Public Library.

Georgie Cool handles the applications and senior citizens. Lauren Vaccariello is in charge of hats and gloves. Mindi Campbell organizes the perishables (ham, chicken, eggs and cheese) and lunches for students through Holmes Fire District No. 1.

There are several others who do things as well, like Kristin and Joel Yoder of the Toy Store, who provide toys for kids 10 and under. Kids over 10 get a voucher for $35 for Walmart.

One way Share-A-Christmas knows what toys to get for the families is through the gift tree at Jitters Village in Berlin, where toy requests are written on a card.

“This project has stayed constant every single year,” Porter said. “Every year we will raise close to $100,000. Individuals, businesses, it’s amazing. Not only do we take care of the 220-some families, but we also take care of 100 senior citizens.”

Porter also pointed out Share-A-Christmas provides gifts for all of the kids who are under Juvenile Court custody and Job and Family Services care.

A father on the receiving end of a Share-A-Christmas delivery last year shared how much it meant to him and his family.

“We would really be hurting if it weren’t for this,” he said. “I think it is such a wonderful thing that so many people are so willing to help out others in the community.”


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