By Ruth Ferris Contributing writer I have been practicing Christmas carols and Hanukah songs since October with the University Women's Club choir, getting ready for our Christmas concert. I find the choral practice joyful and filled with memories of my childhood Christmases. They were not always perfect as Norman Rockwell would portray them; however, I was in my family's warm house, there was a tree decorated with tinsel lovingly saved from past Christmas trees, and one of my uncles was coming around the side of the house dressed in a Santa Claus suit, ready to bring our special presents out of the bag on his back. We at Eatonville Family Agency cannot create the intact, safe family or the warm house for every child in the Eatonville region. The one thing the agency (EFA) can do GÇôin partnership with local businesses, churches, clubs, and generous individuals and special grants GÇôis to make sure that all the children in the region have presents to open on Christmas and that all the people in the region have a holiday meal to enjoy. Our Christmas boxes all include a turkey, and they even include extra food for the pets. Many in the community are aware that Eatonville Community Center is turned into a "storeGÇ¥ for three days in December, and families who qualify are able to shop for gifts for their children. It is three days of enormously hard work for the staff and for volunteers, but it is one of the most rewarding parts of the season for those of us who work to make this a happy time for our community's children. We are reminded that those in difficult circumstances want a chance to give a surprise treat to their children, and to have that chance gives them pleasure. We are also reminded that many in difficult (some even desperate; 30 million children are homeless in the U.S.) circumstances are rarely the stereotypes of deadbeats sometimes portrayed in simplistic political or media spots, but that each person has a unique story, and many find themselves there because of forces beyond their control GÇô being down-sized when an employer has been absorbed into a larger company, losing a job when a company loses its market, having a family member diagnosed with an illness that depletes family resources, and many other unexpected circumstances. The research shows that a large percentage of Americans will need help at least once in their lives, and that receiving it helps them to get through hard times until they can become productive workers again. The EFA has a suggested list of foods that are important for our food baskets. Foods high in protein are especially important for families with young children, so peanut butter, tuna, cans of stew, hash, and chili are always important contributions. To its usual list, the EFA would like to add laundry soap, personal soap, and toilet paper. Unscented hygiene items are especially important for those with allergies or asthma. The shopping days for food baskets and gifts (for clients with children) at the community center this year will be Dec. 16, 17 and 18. Unlike the process for receiving food from the food bank, families must qualify and must sign up ahead of time to be able to shop for toys and to receive a holiday food basket.
Ruth Ferris is a member of Eatonville Family Agency's board of directors.
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