Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this feature and took the photo.
As the days of the countdown to Christmas grow smaller the heart of Morrison glows brighter. Christmas carries anxieties and expectations for young and old, but many families struggle to fulfill the dreams of their young. The Morrison heart is opening to assist those concerns under the direction of Helping Hands.
Efforts to supply gifts for struggling families within the Morrison area are recorded as far back as the early 1980s, with various organizations coordinating the collection. The Helping Hands organization believes in “Bringing Help and Hope to Hurting People.” Numerous local organizations have consolidated their gifting efforts, to assure needy families are able to have gifts for their youngsters on Christmas day 2021.
Detailed screening and sorting of possible recipients created a list of 108 children who would receive gifts from the organizations that donate to Helping Hands. The program is designed to give six presents to each child. Qualifying names, ages, and gifting needs are distributed to willing donors throughout the Morrison Area.
Listed are the 2021 donors that provided half a dozen gifts for one or more children :
● St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church-LCMS congregation
● Ebenezer Reformed Church congregation
● St. Mary Catholic Church parishioners
● Emmanuel Reformed Church congregation
● Morrison United Methodist Church congregation
● First Presbyterian Church congregation
● Cottonwood 4H Club members
● Hair Headquarters
● Morrison High School Key Club and Student Council
● 1st Gateway Credit Union members
● Rotary members
● Sterling Federal Bank customers
● several Morrison families.
The following donated toys:
● Advantage One Credit Union members
● Resthave Care & Rehabilitation residents.
A special note of accomplishment is offered to the Morrison High School Key Club and Student Council for their contributions. Utilizing funds earned throughout the school year, students donated six gifts for 24 kids, as well as a toy for an additional 29 children (total of 173 gifts!) The High School students’ wrapped gifts are displayed at Morrison United Methodist Church awaiting the day of pick-up by the families.
Someone from Helping Hands noted, “We called Kohl’s on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, before Black Friday, about purchasing the coats. The Manager told us we should come over yet that day, because she had a good selection, and they would be gone after Friday. We went over and got the coats at the Black Friday sale price ($29.99 for an $80 coat.) Plus, she gave us an extra percentage off, because of what Helping Hand does for kids.” The additional sale price allowed an additional 14 coats to be purchased.
Booker T. Washington is quoted as saying, “Those who are happiest are those that do the most for others.” With Washington’s words in mind, there are many, many, happy citizens in the Morrison area who made a joyous Christmas for over 108 youngsters.