As America observes Giving Tuesday today - a nationwide campaign to help others through the gift of their time, donations, goods or voices - a local group of volunteers is seeking donations to help more than 200 families have Hope for Christmas.
The Redeem Project's annual Hope for Christmas project isn't about helping families who need help all the time, organizers say. The project is designed to help those who have experienced recent tragedies, preventing them from enjoying the Christmas season.
The program is seeking donors to help families such as:
Family 301: "This family consists of a single mom and five children. Dad unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack in early October. This family feels empty without him and they just need a little "Hope" for Christmas."
Family 308: "This family consists of a mom and her two daughters. They have been through quite a lot in the past year. The dad passed away after being in a car accident. He was in the hospital over a month before he died which caused them to incur many thousands of dollars of medical bills.
On top of this situation, the oldest daughter has just been diagnosed with leukemia and the younger daughter has severe learning disabilities along with other disabilities."
Family 316: "This is a mom, dad and four children. The youngest son, who is 9, was diagnosed with a brain tumor a few months ago and it is affecting his eyesight among other things. He is very upbeat and loves to make people laugh, but he's losing his eyesight and currently has only 50 percent of his sight. He has two brothers and a sister. His parents have tried to remain positive and in good spirits, but it's very difficult with all the medical bills, trips to St. Louis, and more importantly, the health of their son."
Other families with their own unique stories can be found on the Hope for Christmas Facebook page, facebook.com/HopeforChristmasJeffCityMO, or on the group's website, hopeforchristmasjcmo.org.
"We work with people who fall between the cracks - families who may not qualify for services offered through The Salvation Army or other income-based programs," said project founder Vicki Bullock.
This year, donations are needed to help over 500 families across Cole, Osage, Moniteau and Gasconade counties.
Patty Miller, co-chair of Hope for Christmas, told the News Tribune all contributions will make a difference, especially since seniors are included this year.
"If a person donates $25, that donation will instantly be matched by a donor, doubling the contribution to $50," Miller said. "We also have two retailers who match the donation, now making it $100. Even if you can do just a little, by adopting one child you have made their Christmas so much more."
If donors are looking to adopt a family, they can make inquiries by contacting Bullock at 573-353-4720 or sending an email to [email protected].
Those looking to make a financial contribution can visit the project's GoFundMe account, www.gofundme.com/rw-hope-for-christmas , or send a check to P.O. Box 105276, Jefferson City, MO 65110.
"Families need to know that there is someone willing to help them out," Miller said. "I like to say that this is a hand up, not a hand out, for people."
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Want to help out this season?
Here are a few other ways to help out during the holidays:
Missouri River Regional Library's (MRRL) Giving Tuesday campaign
Today, MRRL is seeking donations in order to make necessary renovations in the Teen Zone, the Children's Library and in their Osage Branch. Contact the Missouri River Regional Library at 573-634-6064.
The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign
This year's goal is to reach $270,000 over a six-week period in efforts to help with programs and services provided throughout the year. Contact The Salvation Army at 573-635-1975.
Samaritan Center's Christmas adoption and Santa's Workshop programs
Adopt a family or an individual child for Christmas, bringing cheer to their holiday. All toys and gifts for the Christmas Adoption program need to be in by Dec. 13. Santa's workshop runs Dec. 1-16. Contact the Samaritan Center at 573-634-7776.
Missouri Valley Big Brothers, Big Sisters
Jingle Dash 5K at 9 a.m. Saturday. Contact Missouri Valley Brothers, Big Sisters at 573-634-3290.