Spirit of generosity alive and well in Holmes County

  • Shelly Webb
  • December 8, 2010
  • 311
                        
Ebenezer Scrooge wouldn’t have faired too well in Holmes County. He would have been completely out of place and in shock of the generosity and love neighbors and friends show to one another. Despite a nationwide unemployment rate of nearly ten percent and the fact that many with jobs have seen cuts in wages and hours, the local residents of our area continue to give when it really counts. Jo Ramseyer Chair Office Manager for the local Salvation Army says that jobs are an important need, in Holmes County the same as any other place, but there are still many generous donors that give to the red kettles every day. “We need jobs in Holmes Co, (same as everywhere else) that pay enough to keep families in food and necessities,” she said. “That’s an important part of any community.” Even with times being tough Ramseyer says that many choose to give whatever they can and feel great doing so. “We learn from the Bible that it is more blessed to give than receive so I believe those who do give to charitable works like the Salvation Army undoubtedly do feel very good about helping others in need.” Locally the red kettles have been in place since the day after Thanksgiving and will remain at the various locations until Christmas Eve. Red kettles are currently manned at Rodhe’s, Wal-Mart and True Value. The Salvation Army appreciates all donations as it allows them to assist many families in the local area throughout the year. In addition to the Salvation Army, the Share-A-Christmas program has been in full swing since the day after Thanksgiving. This year’s fundraising event is going extremely well according to Mike Taylor, Member of the Gold Fund Committee. “Things are going very well,” he said. “Even though it’s been a tough couple of years here in Holmes County economically, the generosity of this community is strong and vibrant as ever.” Taylor said he is always so amazed by the way in which the community supports Share-A-Christmas year after year. “I think everyone feels like they own a part of Share-A-Christmas,” he said. “It’s just a huge community project that really makes an impact on the local area.” Share-A-Christmas has been in existence now for nearly twenty-two years and began by helping about 100 families at Christmas time. Since that first year however the project has normally assisted at least 300 families on distribution day and for the past five or six years has expanded into what is commonly known as “After Share-A-Christmas”. The concept of “After” Share-A-Christmas takes left over funds and helps families beyond that initial 300 that may not have signed up in time. “Each year we’re able to help a few more families during the after Share-A-Christmas,” Taylor said. “One local church is actually already agreed to take on twenty-two families in the “after” project.” Northside Baptist Church is helpful in coordinated the after families project and lots of other churches get right on board doing all they can to help. The unique thing about the project is that anyone can be a part of it whether they can donate $5 or $5,000. “I think it’s great that an individual can reach out and help someone in the community by donating whatever they can,” Taylor added. “We have some large donors, but honestly we have a huge amount of $20 or $25 givers and that adds up pretty fast.” In addition to the donations collected on WKLM the project also has gift trees placed at Wal-Mart and Pomerene Hospital. This allows individuals to take a gift tag and purchase a toy or gift for an area child. Taylor says usually this, provides one toy for every child in the project and then “Share-A-Christmas” normally purchases a second one for them. But once the snow melts and the mistletoe comes down, Share-A-Christmas continues sharing! There’s assistance provided at back to school time with gift cards for clothing and back packs full of supplies. This is facilitated through the local DJFS. Also the local schools have access to a checking account that can be used at their own discretion in the case a need arises with a student. Families involved in a house fire are also assisted with a donation as well. All these projects are funded by the donations collected during the holiday season and that is unbelievable for a small community such as Holmes County! “This is an amazing county,” Taylor said. “It’s full of people that enjoy that great feeling you get from helping and giving to someone else. I am always surprised and never disappointed.”


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