GREENVILLE– The 2012 Darke County Community Christmas Drive was a tremendous success with $29,691.90 being given at various kettle locations and through private donations. This year’s drive was in memory of Tony Keller, a long time supporter of this fundraising effort and a vital member of the community as he helped those less fortunate.
The Christmas Drive’s steering committee appreciates the assistance of the 10 locations where funds were collected – Wal-Mart Supercenter, Kroger, Kmart, Eikenberry’s IGA Foodliner, KitchenAid Experience, JC Penney, Big Lots, Sutton’s Super Valu, Greenville National Bank in Ansonia and Farmers State Bank in New Madison. In addition, they are grateful for the help of the Greenville National Bank main branch in taking care of all the deposits.
Churches, organizations and businesses that took part in the “bell ringing” included Coletown Christian, Greenville Missionary, St. Paul United Church of Christ, St. Paul Lutheran, St. Paul Episcopal, Grace Brethren, Bible Fellowship, Stelvideo Christian, East Zion, Fort Jefferson United Methodist, Evangelical United Methodist, Greenville Church of the Brethren, Christian and Missionary Alliance, First United Methodist, First Presbyterian, Beamsville Church, Cedar Grove Church, Faith United Methodist and Grace United Methodist in Arcanum, Ansonia United Methodist and Castine Church of the Brethren. Others helping were the Darke County REALTORS, DeColores Montessori Junior High, Greenville National Bank, the Lion’s Club in Arcanum and t he Rotary. Special appreciation is extended to St. John Lutheran Church, Oakland Church of the Brethren, St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Kiwanis who worked all 10 days of the drive.
The funds collected from the drive will make a large impact in the lives of those in need. Food vouchers were provided to more than 175 families to help get more than $8000 in groceries around the holidays at area grocery stores. Receiving 25-percent of the remaining funds were distributed to FISH, Grace Resurrection Community and Community Unity. Food banks in Ansonia, Arcanum, Castine and Toys for Tots also receive significant donations.
Christmas Drive Co-Chairman Reverend Joseph Soley expressed how grateful he is for the generous giving of so many people in order to support the different charitable organizations and make the Christmas holiday a bit brighter for the many needy in the community. To help with the 2012 drive, contact Soley at 547-0533.
Mike Boyer, treasurer for the Community Christmas Drive, and Jim Morehouse, co-chairman of the drive, hold a check that was presented to a local organization. Also pictured are Sharon Fellers, Castine Area Food Bank; Margaret Craig, Faith UM Food Bank of Arcanum; Kristy Cutarelli, FISH; Judy Collins, Ansonia Methodist Food Bank; John Person, Community Christmas Drive; Marty Schipfer, First UM Church; Joseph Soley, Community Christmas Drive; Mike Snyder, Community Unity. (Berry photo)
