Holiday Help program brings Christmas to those in need

By Tracy Ouellette

Editor

When there isn’t enough money in a family’s budget for the basic necessities, much less a pile of toys under the Christmas tree, the holiday season can be a depressing and stressful time. Even in a seemingly affluent community such as East Troy.

East Troy Family Community Resource Center Program Director Marolyn Komperud said there are far more families in that situation than most people realize.

“There are so many things that come into play, especially with healthcare now – it’s not necessarily the family you would think that needs help,” she said.

That’s where the Holiday Help for Families program comes in.

Now in its second year, the collaborative effort between the Resource Center and other community organizations is collecting donations to provide Christmas for area families in need.

Last year, the program assisted 84 families and 218 children.

“For just starting this last year, the response was overwhelming,” Komperud said. “The amount of people who took tags, adopted families, gave monetary donations – it was a great show of community spirit to see everyone come together to help these families.”

She’s hoping to see that type of generosity again this year.

“This year we already have 77 families signed up and I’m still getting calls daily,” she said.

The goal of the program is to provide at least two items of clothing for each child and two toys. The family also gets food assistance, in the form of a gift card from Frank’s Piggly Wiggly, if they are not already receiving assistance from the food pantry.

Komperud said the program is also running a bit short with its monetary donations this season, and they have only received $1,000 from the East Troy Kiwanis Club and $500 from First Citizens State Bank of East Troy.

“We use that money to buy gifts for the kids who haven’t been adopted, so it really helps,” she said.

There are still plenty of kids that need to be “adopted” this season and people can pick up tags for children in all age groups – toddler to teenager, Komperud said.

“Some local businesses have adopted families this year, which has been helpful,” she continued. “O’Leary Plumbing and Heating, Wisconsin Oven, the youth group at Good Shepherd Church and Camp Edwards YMCA have all adopted families.”

Komperud said the program brings holiday joy to everyone involved from the children it serves to the volunteers who work to make Christmas a little bit brighter.

“It’s such a meaningful experience,” she said. “I think too it’s good for people to know how grateful these families are, too. There were a lot of tears last year and a lot of thankfulness. I received a lot of letters from families saying we couldn’t possibly know how much this meant to their children.”

If you need help

Families in need should contact the Resource Center to be put on the adoption list. There is an income requirement and the family must reside in the East Troy Community School District.

For more information or to confidentially request help for a family in need, contact Komperud at (262) 642-4900 or easttroyfamily@gmail.com.

For those interested in helping out, these area locations and organizations offer several opportunities:

Lions Club collecting toys

The East Troy Lions Club is collecting toys for children. Donations can be dropped off at the following locations: Citizens Bank, Dollar General, First Citizens State Bank and Frank’s Piggly Wiggly East Troy.

Donations will be accepted through Dec. 14.

Some of the highly requested items from children this year are: trucks, cars, machines, Pokemon cards, Barbies, Monster High Dolls, dolls and doll supplies, craft and jewelry making kits and dinosaurs.

Giving trees available

Gift-giving trees to purchase gifts for local children will be located at East Troy Bible Church, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Realty Executives Integrity, St. James United Methodist Church and St. Peter’s Catholic Church and School with collections due by Dec. 14.

People can also contact the Resource Center at easttroyfamily@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing a gift or two for a designated child.

Be a secret Santa to a senior

Associated Bank is seeking East Troy community members/groups to serve as secret Santas by purchasing gifts for residents of East Troy Manor.

A gift-giving tree is inside the bank lobby at 3292 Main St., through Dec. 14.         “The Manor is also looking for donations to repair their bus and also for their entertainment fund to have people come in to provide entertainment for the seniors,” Komperud said.

Keep them warm

St. James United Methodist Church in East Troy will be collecting hats, gloves and mittens through Dec. 14.

East Troy Boy Scouts Troop 92 will be collecting winter coats and gear at Frank’s Piggly Wiggly and the East Troy Lions Public Library through Dec. 14. All coats will be cleaned and donated locally.

“Coats donated will be put out at our gift distribution for families to select,” Komperud said. “The leftovers will be kept at the Resource Center or given to Helping Hands at St. Peter’s.”

Drop off gifts at the Resource Center

The East Troy Family Community Resource Center is also accepting donations for the program at 3066 Main St.

Monetary donations for the Holiday Help Program can be dropped of at the center or mailed to the East Troy Family Community Resource Center, PO Box 962, East Troy, WI 53120. The funds are used to assist with food, gifts and clothing as well as other emergency needs throughout the year. The Family Resource Center is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.