Posted: 12/20/05
Many gifts distributed by Care & Share
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Bratz dolls, DVDs, CDs, Match Box cars, trucks, electronic toys, books, puzzles, clothing.
Those were just a few of the items that weighed down tables and filled grocery bags in the basement of Merchants Bank on December 14.
That was the day that Care & Share volunteers and organizers gathered to fill requests from families that could use a little help at Christmas.
ìPeople were generous again,î P.J. Johnson said. Volunteers had gathered more than 100 bags from banks and churches in the past two days, she said.
ìYou name it, I think weíve got it,î volunteer Naomi Fruechte added. She was in the midst of sorting everything for the ìshoppingî that would occur that afternoon.
Thatís the very hectic time when dozens of volunteers show up to fill the wish lists of the anonymous families. Paper slips show things like the gender and age of the person, the size clothes they wear, and any gift ideas they have.
ìJust like Santa, we check it twice,î said Naomi, who seems to be a natural born list-checker.
The items, often along with gift and food certificates, are then put in large plastic bags and delivered by other volunteers. The bags go to pick-up sites in Caledonia, Hokah, Houston, La Crescent, and Spring Grove.
December 14 was a snowy day, but that didnít stop volunteers. In fact, it brought in at least one extra person, Alex Betz, 12, of Caledonia. ìI was bored at home since itís a snow day for school,î he said.
Alexís mother, Mary, had asked him to help out, and he was glad he did. ìGet to see some cool stuff,î he explained.
Itís a good program, he added. ìBecause some people get awesome presents [and] some people donít get none.î
About Care & Share
Care and Share is a non-profit organization set up to serve the residents of Houston County. The purpose is to serve their wants and needs when there is no other program to help these individuals.
The Christmas project is their main concern. In 2004 the group helped 470 children have a brighter Christmas. They also purchased certificates for 93 elderly or disabled individuals.
The group makes sure that every child has a few gifts. This includes things like toys, clothing, or gift certificates. Food certificates from local grocery stores are given to each household to help with Christmas dinner.
Families pick up their packages at drop sites in Caledonia, La Crescent, Hokah, Houston, and Spring Grove.
Only two people know the names and numbers of the people receiving Care and Share packages, Bonnie Goetzinger, who works for Houston County Social Services, and Jan Palen, who works for Semcac.
Both women work with needy families. They send out letters to their clients telling about the Care and Share program. Sometimes families are referred to them too.
Other examples of Care and Share projects include:
ï Winter coats and school supplies for children;
ï Food certificates for homeless people;
ï Emergency money for needy families of hospital patients;
ï Items for victims of fires such as towels, bedding, and clothing.
Care and Share is funded by donations from youth groups, churches, businesses, organizations, and individuals in Houston County. For more information contact Jan Palen, president, 507-725-3677; Polly Betz, vice-president, 725-5436; Jill Hahn, secretary-treasurer, 724-3475 or 724-3157; Bonnie Goetzinger, 724-3263; or Naomi Fruechte, 724-2524.
Caledonia Argus
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E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com