A decade of caring

Conny Knight and Kadie Hall saw a need.

They had been involved with an organization in Delaware County that helped provide for families during the holiday season.

They thought a similar effort could make a difference at home.

Secret Families Christmas Charity of Jay County is preparing for its day of shopping, wrapping and delivering on Dec. 6 as it celebrates its 10th year.

The organization is devoted to making sure Jay County families that might otherwise not have the trimmings of a holiday season are able to celebrate. 

“I think it's easy to overlook what's right next to you,” said Hall, who along with her mom volunteered for Secret Families Christmas Charity of Delaware County for several years before branching off. “And I think the more people that get involved, the more that our community sees the need and recognizes that need and wants to help fulfill that need, I think that that's what's important. 

“My personal goal is not just to serve one more family. … I think the goal is to show one more person that they matter. … I think that that's more important than just raising a number. … That’s what I like and what I love to see grow.”

The growth has been constant.

During Secret Families’ first year of operation, it served 19 families. A small group of volunteers gathered to shop and then wrap gifts in a single room at Portland Elks Lodge.

The number of families served more than doubled in the second year, nearly doubled again in the third and continued to climb. The gift wrapping moved to the commons area at Jay County Junior-Senior High School. By 2024, the number of families served cleared the 150 mark.

With the increase in those who have received help, so too has the participation of those providing it.

“I think our biggest growth that we've seen — it really kicked in about year five — was just recognition of Secret Families in Jay County,” said Knight. “We always felt like Jay County would support and embrace this because of the tight-knit community that it is. But then by year five, people really started looking forward to it. And that's what you want. You want people to make it a part of their holiday season. … The community involvement is what drives Secret Families, in my opinion.”

That community involvement will be on full display for the 10th time on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Volunteers, typically at least 150, will gather at 6:30 a.m. at Walmart to shop for the families that have been identified as being in need of support. 

The Christmas gifts and household items purchased there will then be transported to the Bubp Building at Jay County Fairgrounds, where more volunteers — some will be carry-overs from shopping, others will be new — will work at wrapping stations. 

Finally, deliveries will begin about 10:30 a.m., with delivery captains leading the charge. Each captain will handle about 10 families, with volunteers encouraged to ride along because a single vehicle can’t handle all of the items.

The entire operation is usually wrapped up by about 3:30 p.m.

Though the number of volunteers has grown, that’s still the area where Secret Families is in the most need of help. Knight and Hall encouraged service groups, clubs, school athletic teams and anyone else to take advantage of the opportunity to get involved.

“I think my biggest thing is if you're considering coming out, I would urge everyone to go on a delivery,” said Hall. “Join a delivery team and go on a delivery. I think that's one thing that we could definitely use more volunteers.”

“They often say, we feel as blessed as the family that's receiving,” agreed Knight, adding that she feels having young people involved opens their eyes to the needs of their community. “Because, you know, those families, they don't think that their community really sees them or cares until they see this group of volunteers bringing all these bags to their door. And it's a very powerful statement from your community or for someone to see when they don't think they're gonna get Christmas at all.”

They have seen those feelings and appreciation come full circle.

Knight shared stories about donors who have come forward because they or their families have been among those who received help in the past.

Or, their family might be getting help that year, but is still able to give back in the form of their time.

“That's not uncommon for us to have volunteers come and say, ‘You helped me before, or you're helping me this year,’” Knight said. “We have them actually at the wrapping center when they're getting helped as well this year. And that's why they come.”

“We have donors that tell us, I'm donating because the only gifts I ever received as a child came from organizations like this,” added Hall. “I hear that all the time.”

    Hundreds of volunteers came out in 2023 to shop at Walmart and then wrap gifts (pictured above in the commons at Jay County Junior-Senior High School) and deliver gifts to those in need as part of the eighth event day for Secret Families Christmas Charity of Jay County. Those interested in volunteering this year can sign up for the Saturday, Dec. 6, event at secretfamiliesjc.org. (The Commercial Review/Ray Cooney)
  

Secret Families connects with families in need through local schools, including all of Jay School Corporation, Jay County Christian Academy and Head Start. Volunteers reach out to school secretaries and sometimes principals to learn about families in need.

Each family that is chosen gets gifts for everyone in the house, with a budget of $90 per person. They also receive household goods such as toilet paper, paper towels and toiletries, a family Bible, a children’s Bible and a gift card to help purchase food for a Christmas dinner.

Distribution of household goods is something the Jay County group brought from its Delaware County roots, but the need is often driven home by the lists of items families request. Recently, a mother reached out to Hall to ask for washcloths as a gift. Another woman was excited about the possibility of having a shower curtain.

Families that don’t have a Christmas tree can ask for one as well. It will be delivered by one of the county’s fire departments, which all partner with Secret Families.

The organization is active in fundraising to reach its annual budget that has now cleared $80,000. In addition to donations, this year’s activities have also included a golf tournament, Singo at Wings and Rings in Portland and an event at Crown City Lanes in Dunkirk. Other organizations also fundraise on behalf of Secret Families.

And on shopping day, volunteers often reach into their own pockets to go above and beyond what is already being provided.

Those interested in volunteering, whether groups or individuals, can sign up by visiting secretfamiliesjc.org. They will receive an email with details about the process and what to expect.

Volunteers are also welcome to just show up at the designated locations on Dec. 6.

“It’s rewarding,” said Knight. “And anybody that volunteers or joins in will feel the same.

“If they’re there on event day, or they help all throughout preparation, you just can't help but see the impact that makes on the kids and the family that you’re serving.”