CARE Christmas program

CRESCO - The CARE (Communities About Reaching Everyone) Christmas weekend was this past weekend, Dec. 15-16 and proved to be successful once again. Nearly 50 families throughout Howard County received an opportunity for a Christmas that may not have happened without the help of CARE.

“It’s not just CARE that makes this happen,” said one CARE board member. “We are extremely fortunate to have so many generous and compassionate people throughout the county and adjoining counties pitch in to make this happen for families who are struggling. We have businesses who take a family every year. This year we even had a family come together and instead of exchanging gifts within the family they chose to sponsor a family on their own. 

“There are always new people who come to the forefront and, just when we get worried about not having enough places and/or people to place our families with, somehow, it just works out.”

So, what does sponsoring a family mean? Sponsoring a family isn’t just getting gifts for the children. It often means buying a “family wish gift,” and essential items. What are those essentials.

“We are talking the basics so many of us take for granted,” said one board member. “We try to get them paper products, laundry items, personal hygiene items and cleaning products. Many of our struggling families are just trying to get their rent paid or heat bill paid and they don’t always have money for those essentials.”

Once again, this year the drop off and pick up point was the Featherlite Center at the Fairgrounds. Through years of coordination and orchestration, the collection and dissemination of gifts may seem effortless to some, but it is a lot of work. 

Gifts coming in need to be sorted and collected for each family. They are then “checked off” the family list. The family is then called to pick up their gifts and asked to write a “thank you” note that goes to the individual, business, church or group who sponsored the family.

There were baby and child quilts made throughout the year by local women for the families. Angelic Surprises of Cresco, donated several boxes of Christmas-related and assorted items. New to the program was the Dollar Store. The business set up a CARE Christmas box during the month of December. 

Those large boxes were filled with over 100 items and needy families received those gifts.

And the families . . . one may wonder if they are “grateful.” Quite simply, “yes.” For some a smile and “thank you,” is offered. For others, there is much more.

“I am here with a family member,” said one middle aged woman, tears streaming down her face. “We try to help her out as much as we can but it is sometimes difficult. God bless you for having a program like this in our community.”

For another family it was very personal.

“I want to thank you very much for helping this Christmas,” said one grateful mom, holding back tears. “Between my daughter being sick and other unfortunate things, it has been pretty tough. You have helped out a lot. May the Lord bless you this Christmas as He has put you in our family’s life. Merry Christmas.”

All the help received is appreciated by those involved, whether that help is big or small. Without the love and generosity that they have shared with others, CARE Christmas wouldn’t be. Happy Holidays.