As the holiday season approaches, most people celebrate with food, gifts and family. Yet what if there were no holiday meal, no presents and no family to celebrate with?
Anita Sackenheim, chair for Miami University's Classified Personnel Advisory Committee (CPAC) holiday project, hopes its 13th annual donation drive for holiday gifts will be bigger than ever, bringing joy to at least 200 local under-privileged children who could have a Christmas like the one described above.
According to Chris Schultz, executive director of PARACHUTE, a group that trains volunteers to be court appointed special advocates (CASA) for children who are victims of physical and sexual abuse, neglect and abandonment, approximately 600 children in Butler and Preble Counties live in foster homes or with relatives under court supervision.
"Some of these children have never even had a warm jacket to wear, let alone gifts during the holidays," Schultz said.
According to Schultz, the CPAC holiday drive began 13 years ago when Venis Torge, a CASA volunteer and staff member at Miami University's Hamilton campus, saw the need in many foster homes for financial assistance during the holiday season.
Linda Knowles, treasurer of CPAC, said the project has grown rapidly since its start in 1996.
"In 2002, we were only able to accommodate 77 children and the program only included children in Butler County until last year," Knowles said. "This year, if we can reach our goal of $12,500, we will hopefully be able to give gifts to 200 children."
Knowles said the first goal is to give the children necessary items, like a winter jacket or shoes. If there is enough money afterward, CPAC tries to provide gifts the children request.
Ultimately, Schultz believes volunteers are at the heart of the project.
"This is a labor intense, complicated project-think Santa's workshop-that requires lots of people," Schultz said. "The project helps touch the lives of children in more ways than the dollars. The children know that others care about them and are willing to help make their holidays special."
Sackenheim said King Library's First Book program donates two to five books per child, the Shriver Bookstore donates overstocked merchandise and Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity members raise money and pledge their time.
According to Sackenheim, the greater Miami community is also involved in the project.
She said the Hamilton Meijer gives CPAC a 20 percent discount for all gifts purchased for the project.
Sackenheim said Camden Boy Scout Troop 18 and the Miami cheerleaders help raise money, the Goggin Ice Center donates free skate tickets, Kinesiology and Health department classes hold bake sales and the Miami trucking crew assists in transporting the gifts.
Sackenheim also explained CPAC organized a silent auction ending Tuesday of two authentic recreations of the Santa Fe SD545 and Canadian Pacific-Holiday Express train lines developed by Miami engineering students. The trains measure nearly four by six feet and are complete with accessories.
Contact Anita Sackenheim at sackenac@muohio.edu to find out how to donate or volunteer.
Walk-in volunteers for gift-wrapping are welcome from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 to 10 in 43 and 44 Phillips Hall.
