A year ago I made a donation of over $650 to the Cumberland/North Yarmouth Food Bank thanks to many of you purchasing a raffle ticket for one of two Christmas stockings I put together (one boy/one girl). One of the stockings was won by Cindy Decker who is affiliated with our member Shear Joy. The second stocking was won by Peter Bingham, a councilman for Cumberland, who donated it to a student at the Mable I Wilson School.
I’ve decided to do something a little different this year and its success will depend largely on your participation. More on that later in my letter.
I have identified eight longtime residents over 80 who are either housebound or who had a particularly difficult 2016 due to illness or accident. The list was created with the assistance of Deb Grover our Assistant Town Manager. Each one of them were active in our community over their lifetime. One, for example, worked at the polls for many years at a time when ballots were hand counted. Another volunteered for various town committees. Another prepares and delivers baked goods to those they see as less fortunate then themselves. Each one has a different story, yet they all set a good example of volunteerism for the next generation of residents.
While the holiday season for most of us means spending time with our family and friends, going to parties, enjoying good food, etc. that is not the case for everyone. For some, it may be just another day. I woke up one morning with the thought that NYBA and my other friends would want to help bring joy to senior residents. That is when I can up with the idea that we could be 'Santa's Helpers'. In my youth, I always looked forward to Christmas morning when I bolted down the stairs and to my delight found that Santa had filled my stocking with goodies.
We can bring that same sense of joy to the eight people on my list. I have crafted enough Christmas stockings to give one to each of them. Since the stockings are large, it would be very costly for one person to fill and deliver them all. But with your help, it can be done.
The Town Office has already pledged to provide a package of trash bags to the cause. Diane Morrison with Morrison Realty has offered to fill one stocking. The list is comprised of seven women and one man. Here are ways in which you can help bring them joy:
- Donate an item for each stocking. (For example, an item branded with your company name such as calendars, pens, coffee mug, etc.).
- Give a gift certificate. Keep in mind that some of the people on the list may not be mobile. If you would like to give a gift certificate, perhaps with the certificate you could include delivery.
- Donate Cash (Marilyn Matthews of Averill Insurance and Holly Day wife of NYBA member, Thaddeus V. Day, have volunteered to do the shopping.
- Solicit items from friends, coworkers or other businesses.
- Fill a complete stocking (estimated cost per stocking is $150)
- Volunteer for one of these activities: Shopping, Stuffing, Delivering
- Register Now to be a Santa's Helper
The time schedule:
- December 14 deadline for donations of tangible items or cash
- December 19 purchases completed
- December 21 fill stockings (location to be decided)
- December 22 deliver stockings
Where to send your donations:
- Deliver tangible items by December 14th to Marilyn Matthews Averill Insurance, Walnut Hill Commons or call me at 831-0160 and I will arrange for pickup.
- For cash donations, make check payable to NYBA and mail to Darla Hamlin, 63 New Gloucester Rd, North Yarmouth, ME 04097. Please mark it for 'Santa's Helpers'.
- Register online or call Darla at 831-0160 to volunteer to shop, fill or deliver the stockings.
In exchange for your generosity, your company and/or name will be included on a greeting card that will be put in each stocking. When you sign up online, you will be asked to provide how you would like to be listed on the card.
Should you have any questions, I have included my contact information in my signature line. Do not hesitate to call or write.
Best wish for a Happy Holiday and don't forget to sign up now to become a Santa's Helper.
Darla P Hamlin
63 New Gloucester Rd
North Yarmouth, ME 04097
Phone: 207-831-0160
darla@softtrac.com