By Courtney Whitten
Decorating trees. Singing carols. Rigging up the lights. It’s coming. Christmas is just around the corner. For many, that means family and friends, parties with an abundance of food, and presents as far as the eye can see. But for some, it means choosing. And amongst the many choices, paying their bills or buying Christmas presents for their children seems to be the most prevalent. I know, you say to yourself “Self, if someone can’t pay their electric bill, why would they worry about buying Christmas presents?” Well, have you ever experienced a Christmas where you could not provide that magical morning for your children? I have. Let me tell you, it’s scary, and humbling, and embarrassing, but mostly…..it’s heartbreaking.
Three years ago, a good friend of mine invited me to help with the upcoming Christmas program at The Emergency Assistance Center in Northfield. If you don’t know, The Emergency Assistance Center (TEAC) is a choice food pantry, meaning clients can actually “shop for” or pick out the food they receive as opposed to being handed a random packed bag. TEAC helps with food, personal hygiene, and clothing assistance for individuals and families that live in Northfield Center, Northfield Village, Macedonia, Sagamore Hills, Boston Heights, Twinsburg, Twinsburg Township, Reminderville, Hudson, Richfield, and Peninsula. Several times a year, TEAC also provides extra assistance for the holidays, especially at Christmas time.
This will be my fourth Christmas with TEAC as the Christmas Lane Coordinator. Christmas Lane is a totally free toy shop that we set up for the parents of the families with children from birth to 17 that we serve. We feel that by setting it up in this manner, it brings back a little sense of dignity and hope in a situation where it’s easy to feel helpless and out of control. However, we rely 100% on tax-deductible donations from businesses, churches, organizations, and people like you! This year, we are currently on track to help provide a Christmas morning for 100 – 115 families. That is approximately 200 – 225 children that live in your community. Chances are, you know one of those families. Our biggest Christmas Lane need this year? Gifts for teens, especially teen boys!!
Would you be willing to partner with us for the upcoming holiday season and keep the magic of Christmas morning alive? Are you able to help a single mom trying to make both ends meet, or a family who has fallen on hard times due to an accident or job loss? If so, please contact The Emergency Assistance Center at 330.467.7945 or stop in to 9199 Olde 8 Rd (across from St. Barnabus) in Northfield Center. You and I will BOTH be so glad you did!
