Published: November 13, 2008 11:47 pm      

Mission offers Christmas help

Applications for gift boxes accepted Monday

With the national economy in crisis, it could be a very difficult Christmas for many area families.

The Kokomo Rescue Mission, as it does every year, is reaching out to those in need this holiday through its Red Ribbon Christmas Outreach program.

Families in need may be eligible to receive a box packed with all the trimmings for a Christmas dinner and other gifts, thanks to the community’s generosity.

“It is Christmas season, and we are here to share the love of Jesus Christ first,” said Kelly Werdal, special events coordinator for the Mission.

Applications for gift boxes will begin Monday at the Mission headquarters, 321 W. Mulberry St.

Families may apply from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the headquarters.

The application deadline is Dec. 10. The Mission will also be giving away a $100 grocery card in a drawing from all those who apply between Monday and Nov. 26.

To qualify, applicants must present one proof of income and a photo ID, along with Social Security cards for everyone in their household, Werdal said.

Proof of income may be established by a check stub, a copy of last year’s 1040 tax document, an award letter for the TANF, WIC or Social Security Disability programs, or by presenting a food stamp card along with a current receipt for food stamp purchases.

Each year the Mission helps dozens of families in the six-county area it serves. Families from Howard, Tipton, Miami, Carroll, Cass and Clinton counties may apply, Werdal said.

“We feel there may be a larger number of people coming to us this year because of the economy, but we feel God has prepared us,” she said. “We have enough toys for everybody.

“I’m just glad we’re here to help because Christmas can be a depressing time if you’re not given any help.”

In addition to a Christmas dinner, the boxes also contain what Mission director Van Taylor likes to call “life items” — things like toiletries, dish soap and other items not covered by food stamps.

Families with children also receive individual gifts for the kids, all donated by the Mission’s many volunteers.

And this year, in an effort to allow families to personalize the gifts for the children, the Mission will be giving the families some gift paper.

The whole operation depends on help from community volunteers, however, and Werdal is expecting a good turnout when gift box packing begins Dec. 1.

Werdal is asking volunteers to call ahead to set up a specific time to pack boxes; they can contact her at the Mission at (765) 456-3838.

Volunteers will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. each Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evening from Dec. 1 until the boxes are all packed, at the Mission’s warehouse space, 1901 E. Morgan St.

Delivery day for the boxes will be Monday, Dec. 22, and volunteers wanting to deliver the boxes are asked to bring either vans or trucks, Werdal said.

Each box will stand about waist high, about 2 feet square, she explained, and will need to be transported in larger vehicles. Volunteers may feel free to bring additional gifts for small children when they come to help pack or deliver the boxes, she said.

Scott Smith may be reached at (765) 454-8569 or via e-mail at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com