Thanks given for Angel Tree (02/06/2009)

To the editor:

This year was a record breaker. The Jay County community helped give gifts to more than 850 kids, 240 family received boxes of food and more than 90 bags of groceries went to the elderly.

With the support of this community we did not have to turn anyone away this Christmas season.

FCC has set a mark for investing in its community. For the past six years the company has supported Angel Tree.

This year they helped with gifts for more than 300 kids. Without FCC's strong commitment, this project would have to be downsized greatly.

Saint-Gobain Containers, IMA of Berne, Accelerated Curing Inc. and the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Inc. adopted families. The employees of these local industries also took the time to help these families. Thank you.

The local Dollar General Store, First Merchants Bank and Wal-Mart provided space for us to display our angels for adoption. A huge thank you goes out to all of you who adopted an angel. Thanks for your generosity during these tough economic times and recognizing the importance of this project for the kids in our community.

Thanks to the customers of Dollar General who put items in a donation box at the store. A huge thanks to the employees who keep track of our little angels whom people have adopted. I know this is not an easy task.

Thank you to our local A.S.C.S. office for not only adopting a few families but for the donation of all those coloring books.

Thanks for monetary support to Community and Family Services Advisory Council, Ohio Valley Gas, Dr. Thomas Banta, Gamma Alpha, Corle Insurance, Dunkirk American Legion, Bluff Point Friends Church, Dayton Progress, Fisher's Meats, Delts, Gamma Nu, Kappa Kappa Kappa, 4TC, Hickory Grove Women, Moser Engineering, Jay County Beverage, First Merchants Bank, Cincinnatus League, Createc, Portland Friends Church, Arch Bridge Kroozer, Saint-Gobain Containers and Honor Guard, American Legion Post 211.

Thank you to the mother and daughter team who shop all year for the Angel Tree and bring us much-needed crayons and clothes.

Thanks also to the volunteers from Meridian Services.

Tyson Foods, Minnich Poultry and Curves donated items for family food boxes and bags of groceries for the elderly.

Thanks for the smiles you created on the faces of families.

Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bryant, also brought in food and adopted families.

A group from the church volunteerd on Sunday night to help unload our "white sleigh" box truck. Thanks so much for your help.

Susie Martin, thank you so much for all the crocheted hats you donated.

A youth group at Walnut Corner Church has helped us out for the last couple years. They are a hard-working bunch and they make the tedious job on Sunday evening of unloading and sorting all those gifts run smoothly. We look forward to working with you next year. Papa Bella Pizza, thanks for feeding the crew.

A special recognition goes out to everyone who donated items or adopted a family in memory of a loved one. Thanks for choosing the Angel Tree project for your memorial donation.

To McDonald's, Arby's, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Subway and White Linen Hall, thanks for keeping our stomachs full. We all know it takes good food to keep the body and mind going.

Our Friday morning is busy and we can always count on First Merchants Bank delivering our snacks. Tom and Rod's, your Friday lunch is a great reward on our final day. Thank you to our churches, banks and other businesses that stepped up again to help us out, plus all those who helped sort and wrap.

Thanks to my sisters, Vicky and Sandy, who came and helped this year, along with my daughter and son-in-law and husband Clarel.

A huge thank you to the ladies who work long hours to make this project a success. Nikki, Shirley, Diane, Cathy, Beth, Tonya and Rita: Thanks for your dedication, patience and hard work. I look forward to working with all of you in December 2009. Denise: Wow, what a year. We certainly could not have done it without your help.

Also, Randy and Bob, thanks for helping with everything.

The Angel Tree project would like to offer our sincere gratitude to the caring people in this community. It is because of your unwavering support that the Angel Tree project was a great success this year. Thanks for being such a great example of the true meaning of Christmas.

Kay Strausburg,

2008 Jay County Angel

Tree Committee[[In-content Ad]]