Sister Mary O’Brian, director of Tioga County Rural Ministry stops for a smile before boxes begin to arrive at the VFW Lodge in Owego this past week for the annual gift-giving event. (Photos by Kathy Nichols)
The VFW basement was crawling with elves and helpers recently as volunteers unloaded Christmas gifts for families in need. Strong elves loaded boxes and tubs and sent them down the elevator to ready helpers who unloaded the packed goodies to appropriate age groups.
Two hundred and three families signed up with Tioga County Rural Ministry to participate in this event. There was an estimated 600 young children receiving at least one gift this year.
After all the boxes were emptied and gifts were sorted, the volunteers talked through a rundown of what the gift pickup event would consist of. The committee was organizing volunteers from in-town, as well as ten students coming down from Ithaca College.
The college students were assigned the task of escorting family members through the gift areas. The greeters were instructed on procedures. Doors were opened at 8 a.m. There were 60 chairs set up for comfortable waiting, while in line.
All participants were to receive a number as they entered the building. The event took place in the VFW Lodge basement located across from the Tioga Theatre on Main Street in downtown Owego, N.Y.
Volunteers determine what tables to place the Christmas gifts on during a gift-giving event hosted by Tioga County Rural Ministry and held at the VFW in Owego.
Sister Mary O’Brian, director of Tioga County Rural Ministry, was thankful for all the cheerful volunteers with helping hands. Sister Mary did add that gift donations were down this year, and that the children were to receive at least one gift as compared to two or three that were given out per child last year.
Help this year came from the VFW Lodge, and many volunteers from Tioga County Rural Ministry and friends of the organization.
Nick and Sue Cavataio were happy to donate their morning to spend time together as first time volunteers. Darcy Chester, Chad Schreiner,
Esther Haines, Cathy Keil, Nikki Schreiner, Kathie Leonard, Pat Howe, Marti Hawley, and knitters from Caring Quilters and local churches can all be proud of their hard work.
The Christmas spirit was present in preparation of the event. Oh to be a mouse in the house of these children who will receive gifts on Christmas morning.
Sister Mary thanks each and every one.
