Taking time to help others
I hope everyone is having a happy holidays. Over winter break from school, I have had the opportunity to donate my time to help out at the Salvation Army with my brother and grandfather. We helped to pull bags of toys for distribution to needy families. It was a really great thing to do for those that need a little extra help this time of year, and it was also pretty fun!
I hope everyone can take some time this coming year to take some time out and do something nice for someone that needs it.
The following is an article the Alton Telegraph wrote about our volunteering and the Salvation Army's Toy Give-Away.
Volunteers help Salvation Army help others
By CYNTHIA M. ELLIS, The Telegraph
ALTON - Red and green plastic bags filled with toys were lined up by the hundreds Wednesday at the Salvation Army, awaiting distribution to needy families.
Nine-year-old Jordan and her 7-year-old brother, Colin, found the bag they were looking for with a little help from their grandfather, Steve Shedd, 55, of Godfrey.
Shedd, a professor at Principia College in Elsah, brought his grandchildren with him to volunteer during the Salvation Army's annual Toy Giveway."They are off school right now and really wanted to do something to help out," Shedd said. Although this is his first year volunteering at Christmas, Shedd said it was not the first time he donated his labor to the nonprofit organization. He said that during the school year, he brings college students to the Salvation Army to help individuals with filling out job applications and putting together resumes.
He said another reason he chose to help out the organization is that his father has served as a board member for more than 50 years in his home state of Massachusetts."He received an 'Others Award' for his years of service," Shedd said.
Stacy Boyer, a social service worker, said the Salvation Army served 579 families, or 2,738 individuals, during this year's two-day giveaway. "(Volunteers) start bagging everything up the day after Thanksgiving," Boyer said.
She said the Salvation Army identifies the families through an application process with proof of income and expenses. She said some families receive toys and food, while some receive only food. The red and green garbage bags that filled the gymnasium were coded and tagged, which made it easier for volunteers to find everything.
Capt. Randy Tooley said this is the first Christmas event he has been a part of since arriving in Alton more than five months ago. "I worked it at other places I've served at, but not here," Tooley said. He said he noticed the number of volunteers who help out during times of need. "If it weren't for them, we couldn't make this happen," he said. Not only do volunteers give out toys and wrapping materials, they also share themselves.
First-year volunteers Marty Ramirez, 71, of Alton, and Eric Fry, 40, of Moro, said they enjoyed spending the day helping others. Fry said volunteering holds special meaning to him. "The Salvation Army helped my father out years ago when he was hurting for money," he said. Fry said his father went to an agency that told him he would need to repay any assistance he received. He said his father then approached the Salvation Army. "They offered him food and clothes, and when he asked if he needed to repay it, they told him no," he said. "He never forgot their generosity." He said that once his father got back on his feet, he started donating to the charity that helped him.
Fry said his father taught him the value of giving to others, so that is why he decided to volunteer. Fry said he always has given money to the organization and that, for the past two years, he has volunteered during Thanksgiving, so he thought it was time to help out during Christmas, which is the organization's busiest time of year.
Pat Johnson, 70, of Godfrey, said she volunteered because members of her church, Main Street United Methodist Church, are involved. "This is such a needy organization," she said. "To see the outpouring of love that is given, I think that's what makes this event so special." Jordan, of Chesterfield, Mo., said she definitely would volunteer again. "It helps out a good cause," she said. "Plus, I like searching around for the bags."
Happy New Year!
Jungle Jordan
I hope everyone can take some time this coming year to take some time out and do something nice for someone that needs it.
The following is an article the Alton Telegraph wrote about our volunteering and the Salvation Army's Toy Give-Away.
Volunteers help Salvation Army help others
By CYNTHIA M. ELLIS, The Telegraph
ALTON - Red and green plastic bags filled with toys were lined up by the hundreds Wednesday at the Salvation Army, awaiting distribution to needy families.
Nine-year-old Jordan and her 7-year-old brother, Colin, found the bag they were looking for with a little help from their grandfather, Steve Shedd, 55, of Godfrey.
Shedd, a professor at Principia College in Elsah, brought his grandchildren with him to volunteer during the Salvation Army's annual Toy Giveway."They are off school right now and really wanted to do something to help out," Shedd said. Although this is his first year volunteering at Christmas, Shedd said it was not the first time he donated his labor to the nonprofit organization. He said that during the school year, he brings college students to the Salvation Army to help individuals with filling out job applications and putting together resumes.
He said another reason he chose to help out the organization is that his father has served as a board member for more than 50 years in his home state of Massachusetts."He received an 'Others Award' for his years of service," Shedd said.
Stacy Boyer, a social service worker, said the Salvation Army served 579 families, or 2,738 individuals, during this year's two-day giveaway. "(Volunteers) start bagging everything up the day after Thanksgiving," Boyer said.
She said the Salvation Army identifies the families through an application process with proof of income and expenses. She said some families receive toys and food, while some receive only food. The red and green garbage bags that filled the gymnasium were coded and tagged, which made it easier for volunteers to find everything.
Capt. Randy Tooley said this is the first Christmas event he has been a part of since arriving in Alton more than five months ago. "I worked it at other places I've served at, but not here," Tooley said. He said he noticed the number of volunteers who help out during times of need. "If it weren't for them, we couldn't make this happen," he said. Not only do volunteers give out toys and wrapping materials, they also share themselves.
First-year volunteers Marty Ramirez, 71, of Alton, and Eric Fry, 40, of Moro, said they enjoyed spending the day helping others. Fry said volunteering holds special meaning to him. "The Salvation Army helped my father out years ago when he was hurting for money," he said. Fry said his father went to an agency that told him he would need to repay any assistance he received. He said his father then approached the Salvation Army. "They offered him food and clothes, and when he asked if he needed to repay it, they told him no," he said. "He never forgot their generosity." He said that once his father got back on his feet, he started donating to the charity that helped him.
Fry said his father taught him the value of giving to others, so that is why he decided to volunteer. Fry said he always has given money to the organization and that, for the past two years, he has volunteered during Thanksgiving, so he thought it was time to help out during Christmas, which is the organization's busiest time of year.
Pat Johnson, 70, of Godfrey, said she volunteered because members of her church, Main Street United Methodist Church, are involved. "This is such a needy organization," she said. "To see the outpouring of love that is given, I think that's what makes this event so special." Jordan, of Chesterfield, Mo., said she definitely would volunteer again. "It helps out a good cause," she said. "Plus, I like searching around for the bags."
Happy New Year!
Jungle Jordan
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