Christmas Gift Giveaway-Scott County

When help is needed, people do come through.  For the Saturday night and Sunday afternoon Toy Event at the Boys and Girls Club, a total of 137 volunteers showed up ready to do whatever was necessary to provide each parent with two toys per child for Christmas.  That was twice the volunteers we had last year-and the committee is so very grateful.  A group of UT freshmen came and a mission group from Boston, Massachusetts-who even stayed and helped clean up and load the toys  not used (which will be used by the Unicorn Fund and Morgan-Scott Project for later events).  This year 432 families were served.  That covered 528 male and 556 female children for a total of 1,084.  The event was held on Sunday this year and the hours were shorter but there was ample time to serve everyone.  Last year 571 families were served and 1,230 children served.  (This is the total at the end of December).  The event this year was supported by the Unicorn Fund, Morgan-Scott Project, Appalachian Life Quality Initiative (ALQI), Salvation Army, Operation Sharing TN, and Women's Shelter.   

 

Volunteer training at an early age.

 Barbara Riseden is all dressed up in Christmas cheer. 

 Debbie Jo Smith is helping Santa fill a bag for some little boy or girl.

The gym was filled with toys and games.

 Volunteers getting ready to help

Long lines

Christmas Gift Distribution-Morgan County

The Unicorn Fund and Salvation Army gave out Christmas toys to 240 children in Morgan County today.  Parents waited out in line in the bitter cold weather to pick up presents for their children.  Our volunteers were ready to assist them and it brought joy to our hearts to be able to help in this way.  There was much love shown in the giving and receiving on this wonderful day.                              Row upon row of toys just waiting to be given to a boy or girl.

 Dolls and trucks and many, many other toys.

 Joe Currier (Salvation Army), Kathy and Nellie.

 This is the whole gang getting ready to open the doors.

 Sister Sue lost one of her antlers before she even got started.

 Sorting through the many stuffed toys.  We even put Savannah in the toy box to help.

 Kathy finds the perfect bear.

 This little fella is just one of the 240 children who received gifts today.

 Long lines formed before opening and oh it was so cold but we had no place for that many to come inside all at one time. 

 I happened to glance over and see Nellie at the end of the day looking very tired so.....

I looked at every one else and they looked almost as tired.  They should sleep good tonight!  The Lord truly blessed us today.

2013 Christmas Luncheon

Selina Patterson and Kenny Smith

 Shelby Melhorn and friends, Ella Smith-Morgan Scott Project Director, Senator Ken Yager and John Robbins-Field Representative for John Mark Windle.

 The food was delicious.  Scott County directors are great cooks.

 Our Vice-President VeRhonda Hembree

 The  luncheon was held at the First Presbyterian Church in Huntsville.  It was beautifully decorated.

 All our Unicorn Fund ornaments on a beautiful tree.

 Morgan County Executive Don Edwards with his wife Donita and their two sons.

 Martha Charnay and her sisters Esta and Becky

Madeline Bilbrey from OSSOLI Circle.

 Shelby receiving gift from OSSOLI Circle.

 Pastor David Graves of the St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Wartburg.

One of our scholarship recipients, Asha Jarnigan.

 Senator Ken Yager spoke for a few minutes.  He always supports us.

 Ella Smith-Morgan Scott Project has worked with the Unicorn Fund for years.

 If State Representative John Mark Windle cannot attend any of our activities he always sends one of his representatives.  We missed him this time but we always enjoy whoever he sends in his place.  John Robbins is a good friend of ours.

 

Unicorn Fund Board Director Barbara Riseden

 Board Director Tim Woodward didn't miss a chance to show off his new granddaughter.

 Boutique volunteer Norma Patterson and her granddaughter Raven Wilder.

 Our President David Keyes.  We are so lucky to have him serve as he does.

 

                                                                                                                                                      Savannah Christian came with her mother Clair who makes baskets for the Scott County fair booth.

 The OSSOLI Circle Girls. Great supporters.

 Joe and Sandy Currier.  Joe is the Salvation Army representative for Morgan and Roane County. Joe and Shelby share an office at the Second Time Around Boutique in Wartburg.

 Great friends of the fund.  Martha, Esta, Shelby, Barbara and Becky.

 Helen, Madeline and VeRhonda

 Some of the last to leave.  Tim Woodward, VeRhonda Hembree, Debbie Jo Smith, Barbara Riseden, Barbara Langley, Marian Brugh and Shelby Melhorn.

 Board Director, Debbie Jo Smith and Rocky.

VeRhonda Hembree.