Caring & Sharing keeps on giving

Thirty-five years ago, a group of Fayette County Health Department employees banded together to make Christmas a little brighter for six local families.
That special holiday program quickly grew into Fayette County Caring & Sharing, which has for several decades provided Christmas baskets for more than 400 less-fortunate families in the county.
In its early years, all of those Christmas baskets were distributed at Mother of Dolors Catholic Church in Vandalia. Today, that church’s parish center is just one of a handful of distribution sites.
Included in the baskets are food for a dinner on Christmas, and beyond; gifts for children in the families; and clothing. The baskets were made up through the donations from individuals, businesses, service organizations and school children.
While many have struggled because of a sagging economy this year, the generosity of Fayette County residents made sure that the Christmas basket distribution went off as normal.
Marlys Hayner, who has been involved in Caring and Sharing since its inception, reported on Saturday that 450 baskets were handed out. The goal for monetary donations, which are used to purchase items for the baskets, was $8,000; this year’s cash donations totaled $11,000.
The level of donations has been one constant; another has been some of the volunteers.
Marlys and her husband, Bob, have been among the leaders of the program for many, many years. And there are others, as evidenced by photographs that Marlys put out for display this year.
Those who get involved in the program truly exhibit the Christmas spirit, either by making donations, putting together the Christmas baskets or helping the families with their baskets on distribution day.
We’ve always thought that a community is only as good as its people, individuals who are willing to give of their time to participate in local organizations and worthy community projects.
The outcome of this year’s Caring & Sharing distribution proves once again that we are, indeed, a strong community with good people.
As Marlys said on Saturday, “We are truly blessed.”
rb