Share-A-Christmas hopes to spread holiday joy
Share-A-Christmas, which began in 1975, continues because of the many volunteers who pull together to make it all happen.
Tuscarawas County residents are looking ahead to the Christmas holiday. What should be a joyous time is anything but that for several area families, due to a variety of circumstances from unemployment to poor health and more.
However, for many of these same families, the annual Share-A-Christmas program will take away some of the worries they are experiencing. Seven-hundred families applied for and will be receiving help in the way of new clothing, food and toys for younger children. These families represent nearly 3,000 adults and children. Letters will be mailed to the applicants in early December, telling them what they have been awarded.
Share-A-Christmas, which began in 1975, continues because of the many volunteers who pull together to make it all happen. Co-chairing the application process in 2021 are Debbie Lee and Agnes Swigart. They have worked with over 100 volunteers who have helped fill out applications, check them for any missing information and then prepare the award letters going out to applicants.
A major change from previous years is applicants will receive gift cards to purchase new clothing at Kohl’s Department Store. This will allow recipient families to make their purchases at the local Kohl’s store and online if they desire. An addition to the program this year is volunteers from Sole Purpose, a ministry of the Dover First Moravian Church, will provide some recipients with vouchers to purchase shoes.
Families who have requested food are being directed to one of three area food pantries to receive a food box. Journey’s End Ministries in Newcomerstown, Twin City Christian Service Center in Uhrichsville and the Greater Dover/New Philadelphia Food Pantry in Dover have volunteered to help meet this need.
For many of these families, their young children would not have any toys to open on Christmas morning if they had not applied for the program. Anyone who would like to donate toys for the program will have several opportunities to do so.
On Monday, Dec. 6, the FFA members will be at New Towne Mall accepting donations. The former Elder Beerman store site will be utilized for this drop-off from 9 a.m. until noon. It is a drive-thru event, and FFA members will be available to unload vehicles.
Unlike previous years it is asked no bicycles be donated. A limited number of bicycles have been acquired by Buckeye Career Center students and staff, and they will handle distribution of those items. It also is requested no books except coloring books be donated.
Monetary donations are used to cover the expenses for clothing gift cards, meat vouchers, printing and postage. Although the staff of Tuscarawas County Council for Church and Community, the event organizer, are another asset to the success of the program, no salaries are paid from Share-A-Christmas donations. All donations are tax-deductible and stay local.
Applicants must be Tuscarawas County residents to receive services. Donations should be mailed to Share-A-Christmas, 1458 Fifth St. NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663. For questions call the T4C office at 330-343-6012.
This year’s theme is “The Best Part of Christmas Is Giving.” T4C executive director Louise Worsham, who is overseeing her 11th Share-A-Christmas in 2021, said the theme was chosen in part because of the generosity of this community.
“Whether it is donating to Share-A-Christmas or any other event going on throughout the year in Tuscarawas County, the very generous people who support so many different causes is always talked about. I hear it all the time when meeting with other agencies. We are a very blessed community,” Worsham said.