2020 programs end successfully

By Sandy Morris

Christmas is here and with the generous help of donors, several local organizations have been able to make sure Christmas is merry and bright for everyone in Shackelford County. 

 Adopt A Senior

The Adopt A Senior program received tremendous support from the community, according to ResourceCare programs assistant Ragan Riley, who said 2020 collections went better than they could have hoped. 

“I think this is the best response we have ever had for this program,” said Riley. “We are so grateful for the citizens who adopted a senior, donated food, made monetary donations, and delivered all the gifts.”

Riley said 12 volunteers made the deliveries of gifts and food baskets to 45 seniors on Monday, Dec. 14. 

A special thank you was extended to the students of Nancy Smith Elementary School and Albany Junior/Senior High School. 

“The students collected over 1,000 canned goods to fill our 33 food baskets,” Riley said. “We had enough food left over to bless three other families that needed a little extra this season.”

Toys for Tots

Marine S.Sgt. Doug Beaty, who coordinates the annual local Toys for Tots campaign along with the Resource Center, helps provide gifts for Albany children ages zero to 11.

Beaty wrapped up this season’s campaign last week and delivered toys, books, and stocking stuffers to ResourceCare.

“We collected around 150 toys and received a little over $2,000 in donations,” said Beaty. “Our monetary donations were actually higher this year than last year.”

The program provided gifts to over 90 children in Shackelford County this year, according to Riley, up from 76 children last year. 

“A huge thank you goes out to Bre Jones and her sorority for fundraising and shopping for the children who were signed up,” said Riley.

Each child selected to be a recipient of Toys for Tots receives four toys plus stocking stuffers. 

Beaty also received a donation of 300 books to be distributed to the children, courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps and Toys for Tots, in partnership with UPS and Scholastic Books. 

Both Beaty and Riley were appreciative of the assistance from the community.

“The outpouring of kindness and the generosity of Shackelford County has been noticed and greatly appreciated,” Riley added. “Thank you to everyone who donated and who gave so generously, because this absolutely could not have been done without you.”

The gifts were distributed to parents on Thursday, Dec. 17 at the Youth Center.