Click here to see the Jan. 2, 2010, Neighbors section in its entirety
—2,000 dolls
—2,000 toy trucks
—3,000 coloring books
—1,000 coats
—3,000 pairs of shoes
—1,000 boxes of food...
Over $100,000
1,000 volunteers of all ages organizing, buying, wrapping, collecting, stacking, filling, serving, and delivering toys and food to needy Tri-County families and children over a period of several months?
Priceless
For every person in need there is another person who feels the need to give. People fall into the needy category oftentimes through no fault of their own. Perhaps it was due to a lost job or sudden and prolonged illness.
However, explaining the need to give back is not always so easy to explain.
Throughout the Christmas season individuals in businesses, organizations and churches spend much of their free time and their own money trying to make the holiday season a little bit brighter for those who are not so fortunate.
The surrounding photos are only a small sample of the efforts put forth by local organizations to brighten someone else’s Christmas.
Volunteers were asked the same question:
How long have you been volunteering? Why do you volunteer your services to help people you’ve never met?
Here are their answers. Perhaps you can identify with one or more of them:
Jeannette Bingham, Corbin: I’ve been volunteering for many, many years. I volunteer for everything that comes by. I just think it’s important to help people. You don’t have to know people to help them. I like to be around people, and I’ll help anybody that I can help.
Mary Pierce-Miller, Corbin: I’ve been volunteering for 11 years. Volunteering fulfills me. Organized toy runs not only helps the children in the community, but gives the bikers a chance to give back in their own special way.
Dwight Davenport, Corbin: I’ve been volunteering for about five years now. I just feel it’s something I need to do. When I was young a special organization took the time to help me when I really need it. That motivated me to begin giving back.
Theresa Price, London: I’ve been volunteering ever since I was about 15-16 years old. I know that it’s going to do them some good and I know that there are people in a lot more need than me. My parents have always instilled that in me. They always said it was better to others.
Jenny Smith, Lily: I’ve been volunteering for over 14 years. Volunteering makes me feel good knowing that I can help somebody. I’ve seen first-hand how a good volunteer organization works, and I’m proud to be a part of one.
Ashley Logan, Corbin: We have been volunteering for four years. When my sister and I went to college, we decided when we came back that it would be a good thing to help out the community. Our dad has been volunteering for a very long time and we are following his example. It’s a great feeling because the people are so grateful and you can tell it just makes their Christmas.
Glenn Steely, Williamsburg: I’ve been volunteering for more than ten years. I care and like people, especially kids.
Maryanne Campbell, Corbin: I’ve been volunteering for more than six years. I was raised to give back. Mother taught me that if you give, you get a bigger reward out of giving than in taking, and that it’s the Christian thing to do. And plus, I love it. I love to see the faces of the ones you help.
Jeannie Hensley, Corbin: I have actually worked out in the community ever since I’ve been in banking, more than 28 years. I volunteer to help make our town a better place, and I love doing things for children, to see the excitement on their faces. It’s giving back to the community. It just gives me internal joy.
Neighbors
Related Photos
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Photo submitted
Discussion
Giving back
People from around the Tri-County share what it means to volunteer
- Neighbors
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Pietrowski-Smith Engagement
Pepper Pietrowski of Corbin and Paul Pietrowski, also of Corbin, announce the wedding and engagement of their daughter Krystyn Chase Pietrowski to Danny R. Smith II of Pineville, KY.
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Helton named Teacher of the Year
As students enter April Helton’s eighth grade science class at Knox County Middle School each day, they are welcomed into a world of investigation and exploration.
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Lay Students Help Dedicate New Playground
While it may not be Disneyland or even Dollywood, students at Lay Elementary are just as excited about their new playground. On Friday, September 3rd, they joined teachers and other community members in dedicating the completion of the first phase of construction.
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Whitley Fish and Wildlife sergeant graduates from DOCJT’S Academy of Police Supervision
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Sgt. Tom Land, who is assigned to Whitley County, was among law enforcement officers from 16 agencies across the commonwealth to be recognized at a graduation ceremony for completing the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Academy of Police Supervision.
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Cumberlands welcomes the class of 2014
Moving-in day, Sunday, Aug. 22, was the beginning of a flurry of activities on the campus of University of the Cumberlands as new and returning students arrived to start the 2010-11 academic year.
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Local tumbling team strikes gold at Kentucky state meets
The GF Flyers Tumbling and Trampoline Team from Gail Frederick Gymnastics just completed their 2009-2010 competition season, and what an exciting season it was!
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New York Bound!
Three local young women are on their way to experience the Big Apple.
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Surprise birthday tea held for Ruth Thomas-Burkhart
A surprise birthday tea was held recently for Ruth Thomas-Burkhart at the Thomas Farm in Rockholds. Over 50 people attended the noon tea and dinner later that evening.
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Make school lunches and snacks nutritious and fun
As kids head back to school, parents are faced with the dilemma of finding foods to pack for lunch and snacks that kids want to eat and that are good for them. Most snacks available in the grocery stores are full of fat, sugar and/or salt with little nutritional benefit, so finding healthy choices that kids are willing to eat isn’t always an easy task.
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Photo detective
To our readers: We received the historic photos shown, but we need your help telling us their stories.
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