Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

December 23, 2009, Front Page

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Christmas Angel Project angels

Bringing Christmas to many

Julie Johnson and her children, Kevin and Megan, spend a lot of their time during the holiday season wrapping and assembling packages for the Christmas Angel Project.  The Christmas Angel Project gets everyone of every age involved in the spirit of helping others.  (Contributed photo)

Volunteers for the Christmas Angel Project have been hard at work at Neillsville’s United Church of Christ (UCC) preparing gifts for needy area families.

The project, which includes the Neillsville, Granton, Chili and Humbird communities, has more applicants this year than in the past five years, according to project coordinator Cathy Schnabel.

“We are very blessed to have so many volunteers involved,” shared Schnabel.  “We had excellent donations and help from the community.  Sometimes people feel isolated at Christmas time.  Some people feel lonely.”

The project involves every age and requires many talents.  “Some are wrappers, some are carriers of food and some write out the tags,” explained Schnabel. With the many jobs to be done, it’s the many volunteers that help everything run smoothly.

“When packages are delivered to families, the volunteers get a real feeling of satisfaction and joy,” Schnabel said.  “People have been so thankful and relieved to be helped.  The people giving were happy to be able to give.”

A host of gracious businesses and organizations help to make the Christmas Angel Project happen each year.  The list of givers to date includes United Church of Christ of Neillsville, Citizens State Bank of Loyal, Chili 4-H, St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Neillsville, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Youth Fellowship – Granton, Zion Lutheran ELCA Church – Pine Valley, Hillside Community Church – Neillsville, Bob & Caryl’s IGA – Neillsville, Memorial Medical Center-Neillsville, Marshfield Area Community Foundation, Citizens State Bank – Granton, St. Joseph’s Hospital – Marshfield, Clark County Chapter – Thrivent for Lutherans, Weathershield Lite Foundation, Mid-Wisconsin Bank – Neillsville, Jackson County Correctional Institution, Town & Country Quilters – Neillsville, United Church of Christ Sewing Circle – Neillsville, St. Mary’s Senior youth Group – Neillsville, United Church of Christ Youth Group – Neillsville, St. Vincent DePaul – Toys for Tots, Peace Makers Quilt Guild – Marshfield, Catholic Knights Branch 150, St. Mary’s Justice & Peace Committee, Marshfield Clinic-Neillsville, Marshfield Clinic – Information Systems, Listeman Foundation, Marty’s Foods – Neillsville, Marshfield Furniture, Clark County United Way, Granton Rotary Club, Kwik Trip, Inc., Pamida – Neillsville, Clark County Extension Office, Clark County Social Services, Dr. Dan Schield – Neillsville, Granton First Responders, Kemp’s Milk, Lynn Dairy, Neillsville Cub Scouts, Neillsville Lions Club, Neillsville Rotary Club, Neillsville Men’s Club, Citizens State Bank – Neillsville, Neillsville FCCLA, Neillsville Optimist Club, Associated Bank – Neillsville, Neillsville Kiwanis Club and many individual donations.

Grocery items, clothing and Christmas gifts are collected for the Christmas Angel Project.  Volunteers will be working until Christmas and are putting in hours each Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. at UCC.

The project is a huge community effort, Schnabel said, who explained six area churches and many volunteers are involved.

Individual donations are also accepted.  The donations this year will serve nearly 300 children while over 100 families will receive food boxes.  Needy area families began receiving items Saturday, Dec. 12, and will continue to do so throughout the holiday season.

One project goal is to make sure children have essential winter clothing items, such as boots, hats, coats and mittens, as well as other essential clothing items, said Schnabel.

Some families have even requested bed sheets and pillows this year, said Schnabel.

Each family will receive a large jar of peanut butter along with their other items.

“This project is one that truly benefits the entire community,” said Schnabel. “Thanks to everyone who helped in every way, we were able to serve nearly 300 children and approximately 130 families this year.”

Additional volunteers are welcomed; wrappers and carriers are needed.  For more information about the project, call Schnabel at 715-613-2672 or Stacy Schilling at 715-238-7088.

Related Articles:

The Christmas Angel Project (16 Dec. 2009)