“Twas the day before Christmas Eve and all thru the Gladhill Showroom was a cluster of Lions, family members, friends and BSA Troop 445 waiting for the food, toys, clothes and gifts to be loaded into their sleighs.
Even Santa was ready! Seems as though 8:30 – 9 o’clock was the magic time for the sleigh bells to jingle. But not before getting a bit of coffee and refreshment to carry them through their sleigh ride journey!
For the previous 8 weeks, preparation was being made to put the project in order for the deliveries. The Tradesmen Motorcycle Club had their Toy Run, the families were notified by mail that our Lions would be delivering food and gifts, Lion Chris had talked to each family verifying info, Shoppers invaded Kohl’s for an outfit for each of the 52 children and towels for each family as well as gift cards for the Teens, Lion were purchasing warm winter items for the families, gifts were being wrapped while the toys were sorted, Lions were asking the community to support our project either financially or by donating fruit and toothbrushes, while the Leo Clubs and NRC were holding canned food drives and Lions were signing up to work in all capacities to make the project successful.
And during that time, we spent approximately 325 hours making it happen – Not counting the Leo Clubs time, the Tradesmen time nor the Gladhill employee’s time.
It took more than 60 people to make the project happen – 28 Lions, 10 family member, 6 friends, 7 Boy Scouts and 10 – 12 Gladhill employees; Many working numerous days and times.
The out-of-the -pocket cost of the project was $3,000. And to date, we have received $2,210 in donations from Lions and merchants. Also donations were made by Butler’s Orchard, Water’s Orchard, Damascus Dental, Gladhill Bros., Safeway, Starbucks, The Tradesmen Motorcycle Club, and, of course, Kohl’s generous 30% discount. Looking at the big picture – the project’s estimated value as a $ 11,000 plus one.
Thanks to all for giving of their time and energies to help others especially during the most busy time of the year! Much appreciation to ALL for a project with volunteers in abundance and thirty Happy Families! I continue to be honored to work with such wonderful people!
Lion Mary Frances Gosnell
Coordinator Holiday Giving Project