2008 Woodie Awards
'Tis the season for charity
By: Michelle Erdmann
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
When the economy is at its worst, Christmas Outreach is at its busiest.
Christmas Outreach, which is in its 25th year, collects donations at Finch Fieldhouse during the holiday season. Volunteers then set up a store for families to shop and chose their own items.
Christmas Outreach is serving 750 families this year.
Bonnie Schaeffer, chair of registration for Christmas Outreach, said that's 80 more families than last year.
The economy has a lot to do with the influx of families looking for help this holiday season, she said.
"There are lots of new families and some old ones haven't returned," Schaeffer said. "It is my guess some families have moved in together."
While the outreach is serving more families in need, Schaeffer said they have about 400 volunteers that make everything possible.
"We really get a lot of help from students as well. Some dorms have collection boxes where students can leave things they don't want at the end of the semester," she said.
Christmas Outreach works with other agencies in town including the Department of Human Service, the United Way and the Salvation Army to make sure every family is served and the agencies are not servicing the same people.
"We have four fewer families this year just because we decided to cut the number of families to serve this year, because we've had some businesses indicate they would not be hosting," said Amy Town, United Way of Isabella County community impact coordinator.
Town said the group has only been able to serve 136 families this year, but interest in the program is growing as the holiday season draws near.
"I can't say from my position that I've seen that the economy has had a tremendous effect. I think people recognize there is still a need in the community and pick up the slack," she said.
Central Michigan University registered student organizations, residence halls, departments and offices have been assisting families as a group effort, Town said.
The Volunteer Center is doing an Adopt-A-Family Program through the United Way.
"We've had a pretty good turnout so far," said Jenna Frye, Flushing junior and the special events and promotions student coordinator. "We've adopted out 49 families, 35 percent of which were adopted by the campus of CMU."
Frye said they have two more families left to adopt out, but can always get more from the United Way of Isabella County.
"We started a little early this year to get more people involved," she said. "We expect that for each person about $100 will be spent on them so if a whole RSO adopts a family it's easy."
news@cm-life.com
Christmas Outreach, which is in its 25th year, collects donations at Finch Fieldhouse during the holiday season. Volunteers then set up a store for families to shop and chose their own items.
Christmas Outreach is serving 750 families this year.
Bonnie Schaeffer, chair of registration for Christmas Outreach, said that's 80 more families than last year.
The economy has a lot to do with the influx of families looking for help this holiday season, she said.
"There are lots of new families and some old ones haven't returned," Schaeffer said. "It is my guess some families have moved in together."
While the outreach is serving more families in need, Schaeffer said they have about 400 volunteers that make everything possible.
"We really get a lot of help from students as well. Some dorms have collection boxes where students can leave things they don't want at the end of the semester," she said.
Christmas Outreach works with other agencies in town including the Department of Human Service, the United Way and the Salvation Army to make sure every family is served and the agencies are not servicing the same people.
"We have four fewer families this year just because we decided to cut the number of families to serve this year, because we've had some businesses indicate they would not be hosting," said Amy Town, United Way of Isabella County community impact coordinator.
Town said the group has only been able to serve 136 families this year, but interest in the program is growing as the holiday season draws near.
"I can't say from my position that I've seen that the economy has had a tremendous effect. I think people recognize there is still a need in the community and pick up the slack," she said.
Central Michigan University registered student organizations, residence halls, departments and offices have been assisting families as a group effort, Town said.
The Volunteer Center is doing an Adopt-A-Family Program through the United Way.
"We've had a pretty good turnout so far," said Jenna Frye, Flushing junior and the special events and promotions student coordinator. "We've adopted out 49 families, 35 percent of which were adopted by the campus of CMU."
Frye said they have two more families left to adopt out, but can always get more from the United Way of Isabella County.
"We started a little early this year to get more people involved," she said. "We expect that for each person about $100 will be spent on them so if a whole RSO adopts a family it's easy."
news@cm-life.com
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