It was a last-minute idea designed to help local students and their families.
Just a few weeks before Thanksgiving, Helping Holidays co-coordinators Tabitha Hendershot and Annie Dimmick realized the need for another food and toy drive in the area, so they developed a plan, got some help, ironed out the details and soon found themselves knee deep in food, toy and clothing donations.
So much so, they gave away more than they ever thought they would.
And, yes, they’re just crazy enough to do it again … with a little help from their friends.
“Two of us started this project, not ever having done this before,” said project co-coordinator Annie Dimmick. “It was stressful. It was a ton of work. But the response was absolutely tremendous, so we decided to do it again.”
Realizing you need more help if you are going to help more people, the two solicited help from other community members and now the operation is growing. Last year, the small, grassroots effort provided over 60 holiday meals and Christmas gifts to nearly 30 children. This year, they hope to top that.
“Our goal has always to been to grow this program, whether it be via sponsorships, individual support or both,” Dimmick said. “Those of us involved this year have numerous connections within this community and that has allowed us to, quite easily, actually, garner support for this program.”
That support has come in many forms already. St. John’s Church in Bellaire donated use of their cafeteria to house the operation. The church, as well as R’ Barber Shop in Bellaire, have agreed to serve as drop-off locations for food items, and St. John Central Academy students are also collecting food donations. The school also hosts the Angel Tree, where people and/or business can take a child’s card off the tree, purchase the items on the card and return them to St. John Church in Bellaire.
Anyone wishing to donate can bring non-perishable food items to R Barber Shop, Gulla’s or St. John’s Church in Bellaire. To sponsor an Angel Tree child, stop in at the school, check in at the office and select a child from the tree. Then call 740-298-5126 to let Helping Holidays know that you have selected that child. Cash donations can also be made by calling that number.
To ensure all those who sign up for food or Christmas gifts can be helped, the organization is hosting two fundraisers to support their efforts. The first is the “Crafts and Coffee” event on November 20th from 6-8pm at St. John Church cafeteria on Tallman Avenue in Bellaire. This “paint and sip” style event will offer specialty coffees, hot cocoa and cookies and feature a beginner-friendly “Winter Wonderland” painting. Cost is $35 per person and spots are limited. You must RSVP for this event and can do so by texting @gcae22 to 81010.
The second event is “Family and Me Christmas Crafts,” which will take place on Dec. 7th from 4 to 6pm at St. John Church cafeteria on Tallman Avenue in Bellaire. In addition to coffee, hot cocoa and cookies, this family-geared event “paint and sip” style event will feature two activities: a canvas painting (The Grinch) and an ornament craft (both suitable for all ages). The cost for the canvas painting is $25 (two people) and the cost for the ornament craft is $25 (two people). You can register for both activities for $50 ($5 for each additional child). Spots are limited. You must RSVP for this event and can do so by texting @d2fg7f to 81010.
Both events will be taught by local artist, Melissa Siber. All proceeds from the fundraisers, as well as any individual donations toward the programs, will be used to buy food and Christmas gifts for those who sign up for the program.
“I saw firsthand last year just how much of a need there is for these programs in the Ohio Valley,” Dimmick said. “I met so many people who, unfortunately, need assistance and I heard their stories. Some of them brought me to tears. If you are in need, call us. We WANT to help you. And if you can help us by donating, sponsoring an Angel Tree child or attending our fundraisers, please know your generosity is helping the wonderful people of the Ohio Valley.”
