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Part of my job is receiving a thank you from people we've been able help, serve or simply improve their existence. Many of the cards and notes we've received are posted around the office, partly as a reminder that our work is meaningful, but mostly, it is a testament that people are gracious and the human spirit is benevolent.
Every now and then, a special note is received. Such was the beautiful note we received from Vernie Nethercut in 2021 when we took over the Christmas Wish List from Alpena Community College in 2020. Vernie wrote, "How wonderful to see the Christmas Wish List still helping people. When we started it so many years ago (late 1970s) at the beginning of the ACC Alpena Volunteer Center, we had no idea it would grow so much. Thank you for keeping this tradition alive. The Christmas Wish List gifts are so important to so many. What a true example of 'great things happen when people care.'"
Well, thank you, Vernie, for the vision, commitment and passion to truly make a difference in people's lives. We are honored to carry on this wonderful program.
If you are not familiar with Christmas Wish List, the program is pretty simple but requires lots of time, energy, volunteers and donors willing to be "matched." Late September and October, school success workers are contacted to provide names of children in their school that have needs. The success workers then work with the families to get a list of the children's needs and obtain the parent/guardian's permission. These lists are submitted to United Way and we work on finding volunteer donors willing to be matched with a child and purchase the gifts, drop them off on donation week in late November, early December for distribution mid-December. Schools participating include all Alpena Public Schools, Immanuel Lutheran, All Saints, ACES, PIVOT program, Posen, Hillman, Atlanta, Lewiston Elementary, Alcona, Early Head Start and Head Start. This year, we will be matching more than 440 children. The gifts the children will be receiving include clothing, footwear, coats, mittens, gloves, hats, blankets, socks, underwear and some personal hygiene items.
Many businesses, organizations, churches and individuals participate in being matched. Perhaps you're a member of one of the participating organizations that put up a Giving Tree and have obtained names and needs of children and encourage members to remove a tag and purchase the needed item. If so, we encourage you to take a tag and help someone in need. If you want to participate on your own, the "matching" process is now occurring. You can contact Cathy Abraham at 586-703-4019 and she will match you with a child and explain the gift drop off process that will be occurring at AMA/ESD offices the week of Nov. 27. You may also contact the United Way of Northeast Michigan for further information at 989-354-2221.
This is the 46th year for Christmas Wish List and we know that Vernie is delighted that this meaningful Christmas tradition that she started has continued and will again bring joy to those in need and enrich the lives of those participating as match donors or financial supporters.
The 2023 Walk Against Homelessness and Hunger is occurring this Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Salvation Army Church at 722 N. 2nd Ave., Alpena. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the walk will start at 10 a.m. Funds collected will be used to support local programs that provide homeless and/or hunger assistance. Children and pets are welcome to participate. This is another program that highlights the homelessness and hunger issues in our communities and works to solve these problems. Hope to see you there.
Joe Gentry is the executive director of the United Way of Northeast Michigan, located at 108 Water St., Alpena. Reach him at 989-354-2221. Read him here on the first Thursday of the month.