Thanks for making holiday special

To the editor:

Thursday was the first day back to school after the holiday break. In my role as student service coordinator at East and General Shanks elementary schools, it is good to see the students again and hear about their holidays. 

This year, I was fortunate enough to work with the many groups in Jay County who help provide Christmases to students. Thank you. It helps us to be home with our own families knowing that “our” kids from school are going to be having Christmas, too.

Jay County looks out for its youngest and that is yet another reason that I am thankful for this community. This year, Lori DeRome stepped aside after 12 years of coordinating Christmas charity organizations with families at the elementary schools in Portland. I am thankful that she passed the gauntlet on to me and had faith in my ability to coordinate the services.

I would like to thank all of those who helped make Christmas wonderful for so many of our kiddos and their families. I realize when you thank people, you run the risk of leaving out names, so forgive me if that is the case. Thank you to Denise and Shelly at the trustee’s office, who shop and wrap and distribute gifts for children who were not even on my list. It was great to work with you ladies.

Thanks to every volunteer who donated to Secret Families of Jay County. They helped 30 families between the two schools where I work, touching at least 60 students. Conny and Kadie Knight, you and your team who make this possible are a true blessing.

Carly Hess volunteers her time and passion to continue Santa’s Elves, a wonderful group that helps children anonymously by providing gifts for children in need. Carly started this mission with her mother and now continues it in Jay County.  It is awesome to know that something started by a mother years ago has helped a dozen families in our community today.  

Asbury United Methodist Church selected a family of seven to assist. Thank you Heather Maitlen and your team. What a great way to spread God’s love. 

And the same can be said of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Pat Gibson and Carolyn Hugg and the congregation sponsored two families from just the schools where I work, not to mention many others. 

Rachel Doll’s youth group at Hickory Grove Church of the Brethren adopted a family. What a great project for the youth group at their church, actively helping others. 

Again, I know there are many other churches and individuals who gave to others through the holidays. These are just the ones I was blessed to witness first hand.

Many individuals, some who wanted to remain anonymous, also called to see how they could give back to others, as did businesses, such as Coca-Cola. It adopted a family from East Elementary and greatly blessed them. Thank you for your generosity.

The Shop with a Badge project is always incredible. Thank you so much to our fine emergency personnel for all you do for us every day. It filled my heart with joy to see the faces of young people who got to spend the day shopping with you. When two of the students made a homemade card to thank you, that was icing on the cake. You are true heroes and it is great that the kids got to have this experience with such great role models.

Thank you to these teachers who donated to help students have a day at the movies at The Ritz Theatre over break: Denise Swingley, Jane Prescott, Erin Homan, Tavia Price, Mary Snider, Sheila Gavillain, Desiree Ballard and Kristen Shoenlein. Sometimes our kids do not get to experience such luxuries and your kindness helped that happen.

Again, on behalf of the staffs at East and General Shanks elementary schools in Portland, we are forever grateful to each person who had any part in helping make Christmas merry for so many of our students. There is no place I’d rather work and live than Jay County, due in part to the way we support our children. #jaycountyproud

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2020, 

Janice McGalliard

Student service coordinator

East and General Shanks elementary schools