Custer County’s generosity was on full display last Saturday, December 13. Not even freezing temperatures and the possibility of freezing roads could keep volunteers from the Children’s Christmas Fund and the Santa Cop project from helping area neighbors who need just a little more this season.
Santa Cop Coordinator Julie Toline said that the 10 volunteers from the project served up to 40 families with bags of household supplies and gifts for children. The supplies included toilet paper, Kleenex, and cleaning supplies, along with popcorn and hot chocolate.
Children’s bags from the Santa Cop project provided a toy, warm clothes and movie gift card, among other items. Santa’s helpers from the Broken Bow Public Library made and packed gifts donated by the Santa Cop project as well.
Carol Allen, one of the longest-serving members of the Custer County Salvation Army, which supports the Santa Cop project, noted the group had been shopping, sorting, and wrapping presents for three weeks leading up to Saturday’s distribution at the Broken Bow Municipal Building.
At the same time, on the other side of town, over 20 volunteers for the Children’s Christmas Fund were preparing to distribute complementary packages at the Custer County Fairgrounds 4-H Building.
Over 155 families, 465 kids, and 20 seniors received packages with a full Christmas dinner and gifts. The meal provided in the Christmas bags included a ham, potatoes, canned vegetables and fruit, rolls and butter, and a cake mix.
Items for the Christmas Fund packages were donated by numerous area businesses, who have been shopping with the Christmas Fund in mind since August. Sixpence Early Learning Fund also donated extra toys that they had received this year. Farm Credit Services helped pack the bags before they were handed out on Saturday morning. Look for a list of donating organizations in the Custer County Chief in the new year.
Christmas Fund Coordinator Deb McCaslin noted that sometimes an anonymous volunteer will include a letter saying that because the Fund had helped them in a time of need, they are now able to give back themselves.
Braving the frigid winter winds, the warmth of these groups of Custer County volunteers showed a light to those looking for help.
