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Local generosity shines at Christmas
By Mary Madewell
Published December 17, 2009
It’s true.
Paris and Lamar County have the most generous people around.
At no time of the year is that fact more obvious than when Salvation Army Majors Tex and Mona Ellis begin ramping up their annual Angel Tree and Red Kettle Campaign drives to bring hundreds of needy children and their families a little Christmas cheer.
When the Angel Tree goes up at The Paris News, I observe how long it takes for all the Angel cards to disappear. They hang there for a couple of weeks right after Thanksgiving with no action; and then one by one I see them disappearing — evidence that our customers and staff are “adopting” Angels to make sure some child has new clothes and hopefully a special request to Santa answered.
Except this year was different. One day the Angels were there; the next day they were gone. I was told by our receptionist a man came in the day after Major Tex Ellis put out an appeal for help and took every Angel from the tree. Angels must have been flying off other trees around town because Major Ellis told me Tuesday that the last of the 804 Angels have been hung on trees. When all are empty at TaMolly’s Restaurant, Walmart, Bealls Department Store, First Federal Bank on N.E. Loop 286 and The Dollar Store in Reno and gifts are returned either to the trees or to the Salvation Army office, 350 W. Kaufman, then the mission will be accomplished.
Major Ellis was upbeat Tuesday and expressed appreciation to all, especially to the Paris Board of Realtors for stepping up to help collect food and toys and to Paris Emergency Medical Service paramedics for their toy contributions, the result of a recent Fill the Boot campaign in the Walmart parking lot
Remember folks, Friday (that’s tomorrow) is the deadline to have Angel gifts returned. It’s also the deadline for contributions to The Empty Stocking Fund sponsored by The Paris News on behalf of The Salvation Army. We’re also accepting canned goods for the food baskets that accompany children’s presents.
The Salvation Army is just one of many charitable efforts in progress.
Churches and organizations come together Saturday for the huge Spirit of Giving event on the parking lot of First United Methodist Church. What started out as one family’s desire to share what they had with others is now expected to draw 3,000 people. The huge gift exchange begins at 11 a.m.
Meanwhile, the area’s churches and schools and other organizations have been busy collecting canned goods and toys to distribute to families in need.
And the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots programs added to Christmas cheer for even more children.
The county volunteer firemen also have been busy. A Fill the Boot campaign resulted in more than $6,400 collected for CASA for Kids to be used to provide not only Christmas cheer for the children in the program but also for CASA needs throughout the year.
Indeed, Paris and Lamar County residents are the most generous anywhere. It gives reason for all of us to be proud to live in the second largest and most generous Paris in the world.
Mary Madewell is managing editor of The Paris News.
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