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Moms and Dads Christmas Helpers helps 85 kids this year
Published: December 25, 2009
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Photo submitted Gayle Leonard (left) and Diane Husted pose in front of a sign, thanking folks for their donations to the Dads and Moms Christmas Helpers. Not pictured is Bev Harding, who also helps with the program. This year, Dads and Moms Christmas Helpers provided clothes and toys to 85 children and their families in the Ridgebury/East Smithfield area.
When it was established in 2001, Dads' and Moms' Christmas Helpers allowed one child to have a Merry Christmas.
This year, at least 85 children have been helped by the organization which operates in the Ridgebury/East Smithfield area. And according to organizer Gayle Leonard of Bentley Creek, they may be helping at least one more before the Christmas season is over.
Leonard explained that Dads' and Moms' Christmas Helpers is a volunteer organization operated by herself, Diane Husted and Bev Harding. Together they obtain toys, clothing and other items for families in need.
"Anyone that needs a little extra help they can come to us," Leonard said.
In addition to toys and clothing they also give games, books and even gift wrapping, so parents can wrap their children's Christmas presents.
The way it got started, Leonard said, was back in 2001 shortly before Christmas a man contacted the Ridgebury Fire Department, asking for assistance. Leonard, who is a member of the fire department, said she spoke to the man who explained he had been out of work for six months, and was looking for some way to give his 8-year-old son some presents during Christmas.
"I gave him the name of some organizations," Leonard said. "When he called a couple of days later, he told me the only one that could help him was the Bentley Creek Wesleyan Church."
Leonard explained that Diane Husted, who is a member of the church, had provided a pair of boots and snow pants for the boy.
"I talked to a few people at the (Ridgebury) fire hall," Leonard said. "They donated money and toys for the child."
Going to other organizations, Leonard said, she was eventually able to raise about $200 in clothing and toys for the boy, which he and his father appreciated.
"It's snowballed since then," Leonard explained about the organization. "I contacted the (Towanda) Salvation Army and they provided us guidelines and helped us with the toys."
This year, Leonard continued, Eaton/Cutler Hammer, a factory in Horseheads, N.Y., adopted Dads' and Moms' Christmas Helpers and assisted the organization in raising items. Part of their efforts, Leonard explained, included "angel trees," in which 80 tags with the names of children were put on the trees for donations. This allowed 80 items to be given to the children, she said.
In addition, Leonard continued, the Sayre and East Smithfield branches of the C&N Bank also had angel trees, as well as the Coppertree of Troy.
Dads' and Moms' Christmas Helpers also placed drop-off boxes for items at various locations throughout the area, Leonard said, including Judy's Country Store in Bentley Creek, Bryan's Meats in East Smithfield, East Smithfield Hardware and Simply Terrie's Bridal Shop in Troy. They also received a donation of hats and mittens from the South Creek Fire Department, Leonard said, as well as wrapping paper from the Athens Area School District Teachers' Association. Our Ladies of Perpetual Help donated gifts and toys, and the Mt Pisgah Church also helped out, Leonard said.
"The Ridgebury Volunteer Fire Department donates the use of its building for one week to dispense the toys," Leonard said.
"We make sure each child gets warm clothing as well as toys," Leonard explained. "We make sure that each family gets an equal amount for each child."
C.J. Marshall can be reached at (570) 265-1630; e-mail: cjmarshall@thedailyreview.com.
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