Traces of Love to help four local families
Residents of Ivy Trace are helping four Putnam County families have presents to open Christmas day.
They call it Traces of Love.
Cheri Jones, dietary manager, is the mind behind the idea.
She said she just "wanted (a way) to give back to the community."
Ivy Trace residents collect non-perishable food items, toys, clothes and monetary donations to help families in need enjoy the holidays. This year the residents have donated a minimum of $600 to Traces of Love.
A Bible study is held every Wednesday night, where a collection is taken. That money has been saved and is now being donated to an excellent cause.
"It is the time of year for giving," said one resident about helping local residents affected by the struggling economy.
This is the fourth year for Traces of Love. The first two years, Ivy Trace contacted Tzouanakis Elementary for families who needed help in having a bright Christmas morning.
A list from each sponsored family was supplied to Ivy Trace by the school. Residents collected items from those lists. Items not collected were purchased with monetary donations.
"We loaded up the car and took gifts to the house before Christmas (to be put under the tree by parents)," said Jones.
Parents too received gifts to open Christmas morning.
It was the most "gratifying" feeling and even became emotional when presents were delivered, Jones explained.
The past two years Ivy Trace has contacted The Putnam County Giving Tree for families to sponsor.
The Giving Tree project provides many Greencastle families with holiday gifts that they would not be able to purchase themselves. In the past, the program has provided gifts for more than 20 families in the community.
Local area residents have provided tremendous support to Traces of Love the last few years.
Anyone wishing to donate to Traces of Love can call Ivy Trace at 653-6900. Any staff member will be able to give more information.