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Giving Tree makes Christmas possible for 500 children
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
And he resides in Fillmore and Cloverdale and Bainbridge and Greencastle. Roachdale and Reelsville and Madison Township as well. But most of all he resides in the hearts of the people here.
And because of the people and businesses of Putnam County and their continued generosity, some 500 local children will enjoy a real Christmas this year, thanks to the annual Giving Tree effort.
Gifts for those 500 children, representing nearly 200 families, were bought, sorted and stuffed into heavy-duty storage bags that lined the gym floor like so many stuffed Santa sacks at Greencastle Christian Church Friday evening. Even wrapping paper and scotch tape are provided.
Outside, vehicles were already lining up in the church parking lot, queued up from the main entrance on the north side of the building, snaking their way along the driveway and extending dangerously close to Bloomington Street by 5 p.m.
Those were the cars of parents whose children may not have had a Christmas had it not been for the generosity of the people and the tireless efforts of volunteers like Sue McCune, Dottie Blackburn, Jennifer Miller, Wendy Auker, Ruth Myers and Misti Scott (and dozens more like them along the way. They were putting the finishing touches on the gift bags as parents patiently waited outside in their vehicles.
Behind the wheel of a dark, older-model SUV, one young mother had tears welling in her eyes as she told the Banner Graphic, “I honestly couldn’t have done anything for my kids this year. I just didn’t have the money because of bills and trying to keep my kids warm and give them plenty to eat. That was hard enough at times. Christmas presents ... they were just going to be too much of a luxury.
“Thank God for a program like this. I am so appreciative. Can you tell them that?”
Because of the generosity of folks like Nick York of York Automotive, the IAC plant, Greencastle Pediatric Dentistry and more, along with a grant from Walmart Distribution, 500 children are each getting $75 worth of Christmas joy.
Simple math shows that equals a combined $37,500 Christmas gift to local youngsters and families in need.
“This community is just amazing,” longtime Giving Tree project participant Ruth Myers praised as pick-up was about to begin.
Sue McCune heartily agreed.
“Everyone has been so good about donating and providing us with discounts and everything,” she said. “Just today Starbucks gave us a whole bunch of gift cards. It’s been phenomenal.”
The Giving Tree effort included five partner locations displaying trees adorned with children’s names hanging like ornaments at Kroger, Goodie’s, Putnam Inn, Shoe Sensation and Mill Pond Health Campus.
Numerous local churches also provided support for the project, including St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Greencastle Christian, Sherwood Christian, Cornerstone, Emmaus Christian, Lifebuilder, Bethel Baptist, Harmony Baptist and other church groups and organizations.
Each year, the Giving Tree program works with local schools and organizations who refer families in need. Volunteers meet individually with a parent or guardian to confirm eligibility and talk specifically about each child to obtain information such as age, clothing and shoe sizes, specific needs and holiday wishes.
And the result is often a merry Christmas when there otherwise might not have been one.
“This community is amazing,” someone said again, fittingly adding an “amen” to the effort.