Letter to the Editor

Generosity helped families have happy holidays

Monday, January 26, 2009

To the Editor:

Thanks to the generosity of several area residents and businesses, 35 needy families received Help for the Holidays from the Putnam County Sheriff's Department.

Donations of canned goods, potatoes, turkeys and cash poured in after

we announced the program in early December. We had hoped to be able to help at least 10 families, but the positive response from the community filled 35 boxes.

We were inundated with items being brought to the administration office. It was heart-warming that so many people wanted to make sure others had a brighter Christmas. And the department staff enjoyed shopping for additional items and filling the food boxes that were distributed this week by the merit deputies.

The economy has left many families and individuals in need of assistance at this time of year, and the office staff was almost overwhelmed with telephone calls requesting assistance.

Soon after the program was announced, a $100 donation from a donor wanting to remain anonymous was brought to the office.

It was followed by cash donations from Butler's LP, John and Tansy Wells, Albert and Greg Solomon, Gary Nees and First National Bank, Angie and Doug Nally, Wilma Irwin, Mike Biggs, Michael Carrico, Scott Davis and Furniture AwareHouse, Randy Nichols and Terry Stephenson.

Food donations were given by Charlene Johnson, Tresha Clearwaters, Brent Robinson, Dick Keller, Mark Abernathy, Richard Alexander and Wal-Mart Distribution, and Donna and Jerry Williams. Several turkeys to go in the boxes were donated by R.R. Donnelley and Son in Crawfordsville.

There was clearly a need for this type of assistance this year. We at the sheriff's department are glad we could help those who were struggling this holiday season.

Sheriff Steve Fenwick

Putnam County

Sheriff's Department