A joyous Christmas because of you
Being in the newspaper business, and I guess life in general, can leave a person a little jaded and I don’t mind admitting that I have been known to have a healthy bit of skepticism every now and then.
However, I have been shown, time and time again since moving to Ennis that not all is as it appears when dealing with this community. Most recently, my eyes were opened and my jaded spirit was sent on hiatus as I watched the amazing people of this community rally to help provide Christmas for families in need. I’m not sure how the people here do what they do, but I am always astounded and blown away by their efforts.
The children in the fifth and sixth grades that raised money to buy the toys need to be acknowledged for their efforts as do their families that helped them by giving them their spare change and allowances so they could contribute to the cause. Those amazing kids raised $4,284.90! They also collected 3,068 cans of food for Helping Hands of Ennis.
The money collected was spent on purchasing toys for children whose families could not afford to buy them anything and will prolong the wonder and joy of the season for a little while longer. I don’t think the kids that raised the money fully understand the impact it is making on the families receiving the gifts, but it is immeasurable.
I personally called one of the families myself to let them know how they could pick up their gifts and what I heard on the other end of the line can’t be described as anything else but relief. The lady told me that I couldn’t possibly know how much that meant for her family and she’s right, I probably can’t, but I do know that helping her family is something the entire community can be proud of.
Besides the donations the school children raised, the community brought toys to the Ennis Daily News offices, which were then delivered to First United Methodist Church where families picked them up in time for the big day. The presents were stored in the publisher’s office, who by the date of delivery had to strategically make his way from the door to his desk because of the amount of donations from the community. It was great to be able to watch the donations grow from day to day knowing the families they were intended for would be taken care of this year. There were also several local businesses that collected presents for the program as well that helped Santa in his efforts.
I know that to some it might sound like a small thing to give parents toys for their kids at Christmas, since it’s not like finding them a job or paying their bills, but I assure you, it is appreciated just as much.
I count it among my greatest blessings to live and work in Ennis and I know all of you feel the same.
Merry Christmas from my family to yours and I pray for peace and prosperity for the entire community.
Candie Beck-Adams is community editor for the Ennis Daily News. She can be reached at candie@ennisdailynews.com.
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Posted by publisher
on Dec 23 2008. Filed under Editorials.
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