Seven women and other community helpers reach out to 180
families as part of agency’s Holiday Giving Program
Morgan Hill – Volunteers have come to the aid of the Morgan Hill-based non-profit Community Solutions’ Holiday Giving Program to reach 180 families in need.
Community Solutions Development Director Lisa DeSilva said each year a dedicated group of volunteers coordinates the massive amounts of donated food, toys, clothing and other items to prepare them for distribution to area families. This year, the donations came from businesses, corporations, individuals, school groups, church groups and others.
“The volunteers are the link,” DeSilva said. “People wonder, what can I do to make a difference in the community, for a family, for a child in need; each of these volunteers in their own way asked that question and then answered it by getting involved. This is a stellar example of recognizing needs in this community and then saying this is my community and I can do my part to fill those needs.”
The volunteers begin planning for the annual distribution of donations well in advance of the holiday season.
Seven women make up the core volunteer group, who meet months before the donations begin pouring in. Caroline Rackowski, Linda Shimkus, Ginny Christopher, Carla Basch and Diane McHenry are a part of the dedicated group, according to Sheryl Bejarano and Pat Mills, who both got involved years ago.
“We sort of grab onto people as we go along,” Bejarano said, explaining how the group has grown through the years.
As the committee finishes with one year’s distribution it begins planning the next project, Mills said.
“There are maybe two months out of the year that we don’t do anything; after the beginning of the year, we’ll finish up our thank-you’s and get ready to start all over again,” she said.
During days when food donations and other items start flowing in, the volunteers will often spend 12 hours working to coordinate everything. When money is collected, they purchase items for the families.
“We’re pretty protective of the families,” Bejarano said. “We want to be sure that as much as possible, they have equal amounts of gifts. And, for example, if a child has just a pair of pants, we will go out and get a toy to go with the pants. Even our older kids, maybe a teenager has a sweatshirt, we might get a bottle of cologne to go with that. Everyone needs something fun.”
Every year, Mills said, there are some surprises. Take this year, she said, when the group was concerned about the amount of food donations.
“Each year, the (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) donates rice and beans, which is wonderful, because it goes so far; we had that, and other things, but we were worried,” she said. “Then, we get a great surprise, the Trader Joe’s donated fresh produce and flowers, so every family was able to have some. That’s something we’ve never been able to provide before.”
Bejarano said as items are coordinated for distribution, there are usually worries about the amount of donations.
“Slowly but surely, things seem to fall into place. The donations come in,” she said.
The volunteers do what they do for a variety of reasons, Mills and Bejarano said.
Once you get involved, you learn about things that you never realized,” Mills said. “There’s only so much that one person can do. Once you find out what is possible with everyone working together, you’re hooked. The more you know, the more you want to do, you just can’t stop.”
DeSilva said many people think volunteers need large amounts of time or money to donate or get involved, but there are opportunities to help out for just an hour or two, and any amount of donation is always welcome.
“It really does take a relatively small effort on each of our parts, putting together the efforts of many, to have an impact in the community,” she said.
Many people who donate items want to deliver the food baskets and presents to the families, wanting their children to learn a lesson or wanting to feel that generous spirit themselves, DeSilva said, but the caseworkers do all the delivering.
“Along with the hard work, time, effort and their own money that they put in, what they give abundantly of is their hearts,” DeSilva said. “They will never meet these clients – they are names on a piece of paper. However, they care about them deeply and truly do everything they can to make sure the families have a joyous and bountiful holiday celebration. And that is what the spirit of the Christmas season is all about.”
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@*************es.com.
