Christmas Joy: It was people helping people
Dec. 24, 2009
Hundreds of people were helped and more hundreds of community members did the helping as the third annual Christmas Joy event in Montezuma reached a happy ending on Friday, Dec. 18.
A total of 66 food boxes were given to families, and Christmas gifts for 166 children and youth were distributed. In addition, another 76 food boxes were taken to elderly residents of Montezuma, Deep River, Barnes City, Malcom and Searsboro.
More than 200 volunteers were involved, according to Virgil Scott, who directs the efforts of the Montezuma Food Pantry on behalf of the Montezuma Ministerial Association.
The food was purchased through donations from families, organizations, groups and businesses in and around Montezuma.
Gifts were provided by area churches, as well as from families and individuals.
Toy drop-offs were located at Vannoy Chevrolet, Montezuma Manufacturing and Brownells Inc.
Some gifts came in wrapped. Some were not, but those were wrapped by volunteers at the city council chambers and by the leadership class at Montezuma High School.
The gifts were collected at city hall and transported to Memorial Hall for distribution.
"Montezuma residents should really be proud of themselves about what they have accomplished again this year," Scott said. "It was a real honor to be part of this outpouring of love."