Staff writer
Two Hillsboro-based charity programs have received a large response from generous community members.
Families and Communities Together Coordinator Linda Ogden said Adopt-a-Family program has the most donors ever for this holiday season. Individuals and organizations alike are providing funds anonymously for 17 Marion County families, including 45 children.
“It’s families that are big, families that cost a lot of money to feed,” Ogden said. “We’ve been blessed by donors in Marion County.”
For the most part, FACT is providing family with ALCO and gas station cards. Most of the adopt-a-family recipients reside in isolated parts of the county far from centrally located grocery stores, but closer to gas stations, Ogden said. There were some clothing and food donations.
The giving tree at Hillsboro State Bank was less successful than in years past this season, because not all of the names on the tree were picked up by donors, administrative assistant Shelley Rooker said. However, the tree was filled 133 children just in the USD 410 district area.
“This year there was a lot of families I had not seen before,” Rooker said. “People have lost their jobs or are working at jobs where they are earning far less.”
Every child will be covered because the bank will use an account to pay for gifts for the other children. Rooker said each child should receive one to two gifts and an additional gift from the Marion County Toy Run.
The Hillsboro Lions and Leos Club members wrapped presents Dec. 14. Rooker labeled and placed presents under the tree Monday and Tuesday.
“We’re going to make a lot of children very happy,” Rooker said.
Ogden and Rooker wanted to thank each of the donors.
“Just the sense of community and caring for each other is a really good feeling,” Ogden said.