Since joining the Sertoma Club of Jackson County in 1990, Mike Kilpatrick has been a part of the annual Sertoma Christmas Miracle project.
From donating toys to wrapping them to delivering them on Christmas Eve morning, he said the community involvement has grown.
“It was mostly club members there to do the wrapping and so forth, and delivery days, they would tell stories of being out until 6, 7, 8 o’clock at night getting things delivered,” he said. “We don’t have that problem anymore. We have lots of community involvement and support, so that’s a big help.”
Kilpatrick said the project, which has been going on for more than 40 years, has become a tradition for many.
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“It’s very gratifying because you feel like they’ve take ownership in it, as well, and it has been embraced by the community,” he said. “Everybody, I think, appreciates that for the sake of the kids, who are the beneficiaries of everything.”
As this year’s delivery day draws near, the deadline to apply for the project and to donate toys is even closer.
John Fox, co-chairman of the project, said so far, 231 households have applied for gifts for 571 children. The deadline to apply is Monday.
“We expect we’ll go over 700,” Fox said of the number of children who will receive new toys for Christmas.
Last year, 280 families and 713 children were served.
Applications are available in Seymour at the Jackson County Health Department, WIC office, Seymour City Hall, Jackson County Department of Child Services and Human Services Inc.
They also are available at all branches of the Jackson County Public Library, all participating agencies of the Jackson County United Way, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department in Brownstown during regular business hours and Bundy Brothers in Medora.
Applications for toys and monetary donations may be sent to Sertoma at P.O. Box 841, Seymour, IN 47274. Applications and donations also may be dropped off at the headquarters in Suite 206 at Shops at Seymour, 357 Tanger Blvd.
Children who are 12 years of age and under may apply. They must reside in Jackson County and be home on Christmas Eve morning in order to receive delivery of the gifts.
All applications must be signed by the parent or legal guardian. Sertoma is participating in the Charity Tracker network to avoid duplication of any services.
The Sertoma Angel Trees are at the Jackson County Public Library, Shoe Sensation and Jackson County Visitor Center, all in Seymour.
Angels are available for choosing with a child’s first name, sex, age and toy choice printed on each one. People can pick up an angel, purchase the gift listed and deliver the unwrapped gift to the headquarters.
Hours of operation are from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
Fox said the Angel Trees will be taken down early next week, and many paper angels remain on the trees.
Sertoma members and their family members and friends gathered at the headquarters Wednesday night to begin wrapping toys.
Kilpatrick and his wife, Ingrid, were among that group.
“A lot of the guys in the club have retired now, so some of them have an opportunity to work here during the day, but since I’m still working, I don’t get a chance to come out here as much,” Mike said. “This is our big chance to help with the wrapping and get a feel for how many boxes we’re going to be delivering.”
Paul Johnson and Leslie Kruse took time out Wednesday to help since Kruse’s father and Sertoma club member Howard Wente couldn’t be there.
Kruse said she has helped with the project for at least 15 years.
“It’s just fun to get together and know that you’re helping the community,” she said. “I enjoy that, helping others.”
Both said they like going through the process of seeing the toys be donated and then wrapping and delivering them.
“Christmas Eve morning, a lot of people don’t get out and do things. We really enjoy giving it to the kids and actually get about as excited as the kids do when you deliver,” Johnson said.
“It’s always warming to see their faces,” Kruse said.
Going with Kruse and Wente on delivery day makes it a family project, Johnson said.
“It makes you feel good, and it helps the other people,” he said. “We’re fortunate enough that we always have jobs and we don’t have issues. A lot of people aren’t that fortunate.”
Ed DeVoe also decided to help wrap gifts Wednesday night. He cooks the food for a breakfast club at St. Paul Lutheran Church-Borchers and often goes there with Wente.
Last year, DeVoe said Wente was talking about Sertoma Christmas Miracle, and he expressed interest in volunteering. The project had been completed, so DeVoe told Wente he would help this year.
About a month ago, Wente brought it back up with DeVoe.
“I said, ‘Just give me a call and let me know,'” DeVoe said of the wrapping party. “He ended up being sick today, but he reminded me it was tonight, and I said, ‘OK, I’ll be there.'”
DeVoe said he was happy to help with the project for the first time.
“I think what they are doing is really cool,” he said. “It’s nice the kids that don’t get a chance to have something get something.”
On Christmas Eve morning, Fox said about 150 people will be needed to deliver the gifts in a timely manner. That starts at 7:30 a.m., and coffee, juice and doughnuts will be available for people before they pick up their boxes of toys to deliver.
The Kilpatricks are looking forward to delivery day.
“It is just extremely gratifying and a sense of joy for the kids,” Mike said. “A lot of times, they will be the ones to answer the door when you knock on the door. It’s just very rewarding, and it helps you realize that it has been a very worthwhile endeavor.”
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Applications for the 2017 Sertoma Christmas Miracle are available in Seymour at the Jackson County Health Department, WIC office, Seymour City Hall, Jackson County Department of Child Services and Human Services Inc. They also are available at all branches of the Jackson County Public Library, all participating agencies of the Jackson County United Way, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department in Brownstown during regular business hours and Bundy Brothers in Medora.
Applications must be received by Monday. They may be sent to Sertoma at P.O. Box 841, Seymour, IN 47274 or dropped off at the headquarters in Suite 206 at Shops at Seymour, 357 Tanger Blvd.
Children who are 12 years of age and under may apply. They must reside in Jackson County and be home on Christmas Eve morning in order to receive delivery of the gifts. All applications must be signed by the parent or legal guardian.
The Sertoma Angel Trees also will be taken down Monday. They are at the Jackson County Public Library, Shoe Sensation and Jackson County Visitor Center, all in Seymour.
Angels are available for choosing with a child’s first name, sex, age and toy choice printed on each one. People can pick up an angel, purchase the gift listed and deliver the unwrapped gift to the headquarters.
Hours of operation are from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
For information, call 812-498-2275.
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