Wrapping Hope For The Holidays

Written by Mont A. Kuykendall

Main Stories - Winter 2009

Hope

Wrapping Hope For the Holidays

The story itself is amazing really…five people and five hundred bucks. Sometimes that’s all it takes — a few dedicated people, and a lot of inspiration.

Both were certainly in play back in 1981 when five volunteers pooled a small amount of money and founded the Saints Joachim & Ann Care Service, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving those in crisis and the prevention of homelessness and hunger. Their goal…to provide aid to the less fortunate among us, and to defeat poverty one family at a time. Now, many years and thousands of touched lives later that spirit of charity and support continues to help the needy every day. From such humble beginnings…

Currently located in a facility at 4112 McClay Road in St. Charles, the Care Service provides basic necessities such as food, clothing and shelter to over 2,500 families, representing 7,000 individuals each year. They also provide a wide variety of support programs which include housing, health and wellness, transportation and employment; all geared towards helping individuals and families of all faiths combat the threat of sickness, homelessness, malnutrition and despair.

To most of us, the holidays mark a time of family gatherings, tables set with good food and presents colorfully wrapped under a tree of lights. But to others, those less fortunate, it can be a time of hardship, stress and hopelessness. Fortunately, for the last twenty-six years, the people at Saints Joachim & Ann Care Service, along with numerous volunteers and contributors throughout the area, have been providing for a number of needy families in our community with the Adopt-A-Family Christmas program, dubbed the ‘Miracle On McClay’.

“We are currently working to get approximately 600 families adopted this season,” says Yvonne Tihen, case management supervisor at Saints Joachim & Ann Care Service and coordinator for the Adopt-A-Family program. “Through this program we are able to recapture the true meaning of Christmas by assisting those less fortunate than ourselves. It really is a blessing to be able to serve these families.” While many of the families are from Saints Joachim & Ann Care Services’ own food pantry, others come from Headstart, MidEast Area on Aging, Partnership With Families, Bridgeway Services, Parents As Teachers, St. Claire Of Assisi and Camp Avery. “All of our families come from St. Charles, Lincoln or Warren counties,” offers Tihen. “We work closely with the other agencies to find the neediest families in the area, and then work to get them the support they require.”

A wonder of timing and logistics, ‘Miracle On McClay’ all comes together over a three-day period at the St. Charles Community College. This year’s Adopt-A-Family Christmas will take place December 11th-13th. “It’s pretty amazing when all of the volunteers, gifts and food make their way into the gymnasium at the college,” Tihen says smiling. “The college has been great about donating whatever space we need to bring this all together. We will have over 300 volunteers wrapping presents, sorting food and clothing items, and verifying that each families’ needs are met.” Imagine hundreds of products being organized, packaged and distributed, all in an incredibly short amount of time by volunteers dedicated to making someone’s holiday a little brighter. “It’s actually a lot of fun,” Tihen says grinning. “A lot of work, but fun none the less. I would encourage anyone wanting to volunteer to signup and experience it for themselves.”

Of course, the planning begins long before the magical weekend. “A lot of time is spent contacting local suppliers and individuals months before the event. We have some great contributors who really go above and beyond each time,” comments Tihen, who has been the coordinator for the event for a number of years. “Many supply items in bulk that are then distributed by our volunteers to the families according to their own wants or needs. None of this would be possible without the efforts of those sponsors that give so tirelessly each year.”

So what does adopting a family for Christmas involve? “Our families range from single persons, including seniors and the handicapped, to families of ten or twelve. You may choose any size family you desire,” explains Tihen. “Once you choose to adopt, you are provided with the first name of each individual or family member, as well as their age, a gift suggestion or a list of special needs. Next, you will be asked to purchase new gifts, as many or as few as you desire, for each member of the family,” she says. “These gifts will then be wrapped with a name card attached indicating the family member it is intended for and organized for delivery to the adopted family or individual. We also try very hard to make sure that everything is divided equitably between our families, and that everyone is adequately cared for.”

As a sponsor you are also asked to provide a Christmas dinner for your adopted family. After all, what is Christmas without the smells of food and spices making their way out of the kitchen and into the rest of the house? Dinner items generally include a ham or turkey, a box of instant potatoes and/or stuffing, a can of gravy, two or three vegetables, cranberries, a cake mix and frosting, or a pie crust and pie filling. Basically, whatever you feel would make for a nice Christmas dinner. Of course, you may have noticed a trend…

“No perishables, please!” asks Tihen. “You will be asked NOT to include eggs, fresh milk, frozen pies, or other perishables. We have found these items become a disaster in the packing and unpacking process,” she explains. And since neither Saints Joachim & Ann Care Service, or the Community College have the refrigeration space necessary to store over 500 turkeys, they prefer packaged hams or a gift certificates for a ham or turkey from local grocery stores such as Shop n’ Save, Schnucks or Dierbergs. “We are always in need of paper products, cleaners, and personal items as well,” says Tihen. “Often times those items are necessities that many families go without, due to fact that they cannot purchase them with food stamps.”

“We do what we can for the families selected, but there are so many more out there, especially in these times,” states Tihen. Due to the state of the economy, the Saints Joachim & Ann Care Service, like other non-profit organizations in the area, are seeing more and more requests for services, while receiving less and less funding to keep up with the growing number of families and individuals dealing with the loss of home, employment, and hope for the future. “That is why we place so much emphasis on identifying the neediest of the families within our community. Our resources are so limited compared to the number of families out there needing help that we try very hard to make sure that every item, and every volunteer hour goes as far as possible. Because of the caring individuals, families, organizations and companies who open their hearts to our families, we are able to provide a blessed and bountiful Christmas to those less fortunate,” she concludes.

“Each year we also try to do something extra for the families as part of the Adopt-A-Family Christmas program. This year we are trying to provide each and every child with a new pair of shoes, but funding is running low and time is running out,” confides Tihen. The deadline of December 9th is quickly approaching for any donations of food, clothing, gifts and personal items to make their way into the Adopt-A-Family event this year. “We can only hope that those who can not afford to adopt a family, or volunteer, would a least donate enough for a pair of shoes this year,” Tihen implores. “If we can successfully put new shoes on the feet of each child, their smiles will make all of the time and effort put into the program worth while.”

So as you venture out this holiday season, consider those who have less than yourself. Pause long enough in the hustle and bustle of your seasonal pursuits to reflect on what you have, and on those around you that have not. Know that there are hundreds of volunteers in your community fighting to stave off hunger and homelessness right here at home, around the block, down the street. Join them. A society is ultimately measured by how it treats it’s lowest; it’s most down-trodden. Let’s make St. Charles a great community to live in by giving back to those less fortunate. After all, it doesn’t take much to change the world — just five people and five hundred bucks!

If you would like more information about the Adopt-A-Family Christmas, or what you can do to help, contact Saints Joachim & Ann Care Service at (636) 441-1302, extension 224, Monday through Thursday.