Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

December 15, 2010, Front Page

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

 Christmas Angel Project lending a helping hand

The snowstorm of the past weekend didn’t keep Christmas Angel Project deliverers from their appointed rounds.  Jim Filitz (above) and Rev. James Mohr of the United Church of Christ were a delivery team. Filitz drove his four-wheel drive vehicle and Rev. Mohr helped with directions and carrying.  (Contributed photo)

By Peter Spicer

A strong snowstorm didn’t keep Christmas Angel Project volunteers from wrapping and delivering gifts at Neillsville’s United Church of Christ (UCC) Saturday, Dec. 11.

The annual Christmas Angel Project provides gifts, clothing and food items for needy area families. The project serves the Neillsville, Granton, Chili, Humbird, Greenwood, Owen and Withee communities this year, said project coordinator Cathy Schnabel, who works on the project with her daughter, Stacy Schilling.

Cathy Schnabel helps with gift wrapping for the Christmas Angel Project.  Schnabel and daughter Stacy Schilling coordinated the project which provides gifts, clothing and food for needy area families. (Contributed photo)

Saturday, Dec. 11, was the first of several item delivery dates, despite the snow storm. Volunteers have been working on the project at UCC since Friday, Nov. 26.

The project includes a “huge list of donors,” toward the project, which is “100 percent local,” said Schnabel.

The Jackson Correctional Institution donated Teddy Bears, quilters donated hats, gloves and mittens, several grocery stores – including Neillsville’s Marty’s Foods, (missing word) Hansen’s IGA – donated food and Colby Packaging donated boxes to package the gifts, said Schnabel.

The Granton FFA helped with the project once again this year by packaging and sorting items, said Schnabel, who thanked Neillsville School District nurse Sheila Slenczka for her efforts in the project.

The Christmas Angel Project is still looking for more volunteers, including delivery drivers. Volunteers are scheduled to meet Wednesday, Dec. 15, and Saturday Dec. 18, at UCC.

For more information, call Schnabel at 715-238-7864, (cell 715-613-2672) or Schilling at 715-238-7088.

Christmas Angel Project volunteer Arlene Stark of Neillsville wraps donated gifts for needy area families Saturday, Dec. 11, at Neillsville’s United Church of Christ.  Volunteers braved a winter storm to help others Saturday. (Photo by Peter Spicer/Clark County Press)

Articled Continued:

Christmas Angel Project makes final deliveries (22 Dec. 2010)