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| Although the Fernandez family lost their home to fire the day after Thanksgiving, Ana Fernandez, and her children, Suaily (age 5), Jesus (22 mos.), and Gizelle (age 3), had an early Christmas on Dec. 22. Representatives from the Department of Veterans Services, U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots, VFW in Thatcher, American Legion Post 28 of Solomon and American Legion in Safford, Mt. Graham Hospice and other businesses in Graham County, brought gifts and goodies to the family. (Ainslee S. Wittig/ARN) |
Economy still has an effect, but giving remains a priority for many
By Ainslee S. Wittig & Carol Broeder/Arizona Range News
The Willcox Chapter of the Salvation Army had its best year ever, said Penney Bell, the representative from the local chapter.
"The Salvation Army did exceptionally well through the holidays. There were more volunteers to ring the bell than we ever had in the past. The exposure was much greater," said Bell.
"Nell Collins, a Salvation Army soldier who came here last year from Las Vegas, has been the driving force for organizing volunteers to ring the bell. She went out and campaigned - talked with people face to face from churches and organizations. And because we had people out ringing the bell on a steady basis, people donated," Bells said.
"The money put in the kettle stays in Willcox; not a dime goes out of the community," she said.
Not quite so lucky was the Toys for Tots program in Willcox.
"Donations were definitely down here this year for Toys for Tots. The bins weren't as full. And businesses that usually donate money donated less or didn't donate," Bell said. "We felt a little bit of the economic situation in that direction."
"We figured with the economy the way it is, donations would be down this year," said Officer Richard Majewski, who was in charge of Toys for Tots this year along with fellow Officer Mel Hammons.
Nonetheless, "overall we did pretty well," he told the Range News.
Unfortunately, some children had asked for "ridiculous" things, such as iPods and X-Boxes, which the program could not afford, Majewski said.
"There were some dissatisfied parents; they asked, 'So is this all we get?'"
But more often than not the children were grateful.
"There was one family we made very happy," he told the Range News.
"Their two girls ask for a bike every year and never got one until now. With the help of Judge (Trevor) Ward we got the girls two bikes. They were more than a little excited."
"There were two or three families who just asked for clothes - not one toy," he said.
That's when Bell came to the rescue with funds from the Salvation Army.
"We sent them over to Alco with coupons to get some warmer clothes," said Majewski, adding that the Toys for Tots program made sure those children received some toys as well.
Majewski is grateful to the local merchants, organizations, and individuals who came through for the program.
"After we had run out of toys and still had forms that couldn't be filled, a lady with a truckload of toys showed up."
He also credits Bell - "without Penney we would have been lost" - and the wives of the two officers, who "organized everything" and "stuffed stockings for everyone."
Majewski said that this was the first year for Hammons and him to run the program, and they have made some contacts and learned some things that will help them be better prepared for next year.
Bell said the Salvation Army helped the Fernandez family whose home was lost to fire on Nov. 28. A $100 donation was received for the family through the Salvation Army and several families donated clothing, furniture, linens, and other items.
The Fernandez family was also the recipient of gifts from the Arizona Department of Veterans Services.
Valerie Williams, Veterans Benefits Counselor 1 in Safford, said the Department of Veterans Services decided to coordinate a "visit from Santa" for the family after she heard about the fire from Genie Cooper at the County Services Building in Willcox during an outreach visit.
Donations came from Safford/Graham County area groups, including Marines Toys for Tots, American Legions posts from Safford and Solomon, VFW from Safford and Mt. Graham Hospice and other Graham County businesses "to make a very joyous Christmas for this family," said Cooper.
While Santa Claus was supposed to attend, Williams said, "He was ill and Santa's helper (herself) took over to hand out gifts."
"The family was totally ecstatic. They were so appreciative and the children were overwhelmed and bubbling with excitement."
"This was our first time doing this kind of outreach," Williams said, "and it was very much of a joint affair put together by the Arizona Department of Veterans Services."
Genie Cooper was thrilled with the help and said, "The kids were very happy. It went quite well."
She said another family, the Millers, who lost their home on Dec. 11, had not asked the Salvation Army for help, but said they had met with the Red Cross and were grateful for the help they received from there.
The Knights of Columbus, Council 8105, who normally gives out both bicycles and food boxes, were unable to do so this year.
Instead, they gave out 34 $25 gift certificates and six $50 gift certificates to local grocery stores.
"We also gave out about five dozen blankets, and a few sacks of food," said Grand Knight Ross Estavillo.
"The donations just didn't come in this year like they used to," said Estavillo, adding that the Knights usually buy food boxes from the Food Bank "and then beef them up with hams, turkeys, flour and beans."
But that option was not available to them this year.
"The bikes come from each Knight, with money from their own pockets," he told the Range News.
The Knights decided this year to put that money into the gift certificates instead.
"We thought the bigger need would be for food rather than toys," Estavillo said.
"It broke all the guys' hearts not to give out the bikes," he said. "That's what really makes your day is to see the kids' faces when they get the bikes."
As for next year, Estavillo said, "I'm not sure what we're going to do. I guess we'll try earlier or try to do some kind of fundraisers during the year to raise the money."
By Ainslee S. Wittig & Carol Broeder/Arizona Range News
The Willcox Chapter of the Salvation Army had its best year ever, said Penney Bell, the representative from the local chapter.
"The Salvation Army did exceptionally well through the holidays. There were more volunteers to ring the bell than we ever had in the past. The exposure was much greater," said Bell.
"Nell Collins, a Salvation Army soldier who came here last year from Las Vegas, has been the driving force for organizing volunteers to ring the bell. She went out and campaigned - talked with people face to face from churches and organizations. And because we had people out ringing the bell on a steady basis, people donated," Bells said.
"The money put in the kettle stays in Willcox; not a dime goes out of the community," she said.
Not quite so lucky was the Toys for Tots program in Willcox.
"Donations were definitely down here this year for Toys for Tots. The bins weren't as full. And businesses that usually donate money donated less or didn't donate," Bell said. "We felt a little bit of the economic situation in that direction."
"We figured with the economy the way it is, donations would be down this year," said Officer Richard Majewski, who was in charge of Toys for Tots this year along with fellow Officer Mel Hammons.
Nonetheless, "overall we did pretty well," he told the Range News.
Unfortunately, some children had asked for "ridiculous" things, such as iPods and X-Boxes, which the program could not afford, Majewski said.
"There were some dissatisfied parents; they asked, 'So is this all we get?'"
But more often than not the children were grateful.
"There was one family we made very happy," he told the Range News.
"Their two girls ask for a bike every year and never got one until now. With the help of Judge (Trevor) Ward we got the girls two bikes. They were more than a little excited."
"There were two or three families who just asked for clothes - not one toy," he said.
That's when Bell came to the rescue with funds from the Salvation Army.
"We sent them over to Alco with coupons to get some warmer clothes," said Majewski, adding that the Toys for Tots program made sure those children received some toys as well.
Majewski is grateful to the local merchants, organizations, and individuals who came through for the program.
"After we had run out of toys and still had forms that couldn't be filled, a lady with a truckload of toys showed up."
He also credits Bell - "without Penney we would have been lost" - and the wives of the two officers, who "organized everything" and "stuffed stockings for everyone."
Majewski said that this was the first year for Hammons and him to run the program, and they have made some contacts and learned some things that will help them be better prepared for next year.
Bell said the Salvation Army helped the Fernandez family whose home was lost to fire on Nov. 28. A $100 donation was received for the family through the Salvation Army and several families donated clothing, furniture, linens, and other items.
The Fernandez family was also the recipient of gifts from the Arizona Department of Veterans Services.
Valerie Williams, Veterans Benefits Counselor 1 in Safford, said the Department of Veterans Services decided to coordinate a "visit from Santa" for the family after she heard about the fire from Genie Cooper at the County Services Building in Willcox during an outreach visit.
Donations came from Safford/Graham County area groups, including Marines Toys for Tots, American Legions posts from Safford and Solomon, VFW from Safford and Mt. Graham Hospice and other Graham County businesses "to make a very joyous Christmas for this family," said Cooper.
While Santa Claus was supposed to attend, Williams said, "He was ill and Santa's helper (herself) took over to hand out gifts."
"The family was totally ecstatic. They were so appreciative and the children were overwhelmed and bubbling with excitement."
"This was our first time doing this kind of outreach," Williams said, "and it was very much of a joint affair put together by the Arizona Department of Veterans Services."
Genie Cooper was thrilled with the help and said, "The kids were very happy. It went quite well."
She said another family, the Millers, who lost their home on Dec. 11, had not asked the Salvation Army for help, but said they had met with the Red Cross and were grateful for the help they received from there.
The Knights of Columbus, Council 8105, who normally gives out both bicycles and food boxes, were unable to do so this year.
Instead, they gave out 34 $25 gift certificates and six $50 gift certificates to local grocery stores.
"We also gave out about five dozen blankets, and a few sacks of food," said Grand Knight Ross Estavillo.
"The donations just didn't come in this year like they used to," said Estavillo, adding that the Knights usually buy food boxes from the Food Bank "and then beef them up with hams, turkeys, flour and beans."
But that option was not available to them this year.
"The bikes come from each Knight, with money from their own pockets," he told the Range News.
The Knights decided this year to put that money into the gift certificates instead.
"We thought the bigger need would be for food rather than toys," Estavillo said.
"It broke all the guys' hearts not to give out the bikes," he said. "That's what really makes your day is to see the kids' faces when they get the bikes."
As for next year, Estavillo said, "I'm not sure what we're going to do. I guess we'll try earlier or try to do some kind of fundraisers during the year to raise the money."
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