Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

December 16, 2009, Page 2

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Christmas Angel Project – helping Granton,

Neillsville, Chili and Humbird community families

The Christmas Angel Project really did start out as a little church project (UCC-Neillsville.)  Cathy Schnabel, as chair-person of Mission and Outreach, felt all of the communities needed to be aware of basic needs for people right in their own communities.

After teaching at Granton for 10 years, Schnabel became well aware of the needs in her community.

“We get many referrals for families from the schools, especially pre-school teachers,” explained Schnabel. The program has grown to include six local churches.  “We have volunteers from all over,” said Schnabel.  “We have about 300 volunteers every December that work every Wednesday and Saturday.  We have people of all ages. Some people cannot come to work but crochet and knit mittens and scarves all year.  We received much donated yarn.  We also have ladies that cut the front of Christmas cards to use as tags on the teddy bears each child receives.  The teddy bears are made at Black River Correctional.  We have approximately 300 bears this year.  We also share the bears, book bags and pencil cases with other communities in Clark County.

Here are the many teddy bears made by Black River Correctional inmates (of Black River Falls) for the Christmas Angel Project.  They are all hand-sewn.  The inmates also crochet hats, mittens and scarves.   They used fabric donated by Marshfield Furniture to make backpacks and pencil cases as well.  (Contributed photo)

All referrals must be signed by the person doing the referral.  “We get the most referrals from social services,” explained Schnabel.  “We have two workers on our committee.  We get referrals from Head Start, Community Action and friends and neighbors of needy families.  All referrals are legitimate,” she shared.

The project receives many last-minute referrals.  The week before Christmas people do not have time to shop.  “Members of the committee and community purchase items after Christmas on sale – really on sale,” said Schnabel, “and we keep them for Christmas.  We try to provide children with needs first and wants second.  The biggest need is always winter coats, snow pants and boots.  We also work with IGA and Marty’s to get case-lot prices on nonperishable items.  Kemps has also been willing to donate half gallons of milk and will sell us the rest of what we need for half price.  Lynn Dairy donates half of the cheese, and we purchase the rest at cost. We are able to get bread and bananas at KWIK Trip.  We have come across (deals) in many places.  We get a deal on bags of potatoes from Chaput Produce through IGA.  Did you know Clark County gets truckloads of apples from a grower in Eau Claire?  Our volunteers bag the apples for the elderly and also for families of our Angel Tree. There are many other places involved in this.  We spend a lot on groceries.  Last year our expenses were around $5,000.  We are very frugal and careful. We want any money we get to go as far as possible.  That is the reason we ask for donations.  The local fire departments and rescue teams have donated smoke detectors.  These all come with batteries.”

“A child of one of the families was so excited when a volunteer delivered the packages to their home,” remembered Schnabel.  “Do you know what she was excited about?  Not the gifts or the boots or coats, but bananas.  She said, ‘You brought us bananas.’  The joy children feel at seeing Christmas gifts is nothing compared to the relief moms feel when realizing their children will receive gifts for Christmas.”

Schnabel has been involved with the Christmas Angel Project for six years.  “This is a huge amount of work,” she said.  “We are blessed with many willing volunteers.  This year my daughter, Stacy, is helping coordinate.  Martha Opelt at St. Mary’s is on our committee.  You can see by the list of coordinators that we have become a widespread group.  We keep in touch by e-mail and when crunch time comes, we help each other.  Please realize no one is paid to do this.  We are all volunteers. Actually, we all enjoy working Saturdays, as Mary Sladich cooks for us.  She prepares a big lunch.  We all love it!  Feel free to come see what we are up to on Saturdays at UCC in December.  Everyone is welcome.”

In 2003, the Christmas Angel Project helped meet the needs of 57 families in the Neillsville, Granton, Chili and Humbird areas.  In 2005, the number of families increased to 109.

The project has two primary missions – to help needy families and to educate people in the community that there are needy families living in the community.  “We have done an excellent job of both,” explained Schnabel.  “Just the awareness of people with needs has been wonderful. We are amazed at the generosity of local people.  Sometimes it is people with the least that share the most.”

Related Articles:

    The Christmas Angel Project angels Bringing Christmas to many (23 Dec. 2009)