This year, Sarpy County’s more than 200 family vacations got a little brighter thanks to a unique public-private partnership.
For the past 30 years, each December, the Sarpy County Holiday Assistance Program has provided gifts, food, clothing, books, and other essentials to low-income families with children, and provided information and assistance for a variety of services. .
“If you say you need Christmas, we want to give it to you,” said Amanda Parker, Human Services Program Specialist for the City of Bellevue.
Parker said the program was amalgamated from a hodgepodge of community organizations, including the Bellevue Christian Center, the City of Bellevue, the Eastern Nebraska Community Action Program, St. Columbkill Catholic Church at Papillion, and Sarpee County General Assistance.
“They saw a much bigger need and came up with the Donation Center,” she said. I came.”
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The Holiday Assistance Program will have a sign-up event in early November. Once the application for the child’s age, gender, size, etc. is received, the caregiver will have the opportunity to purchase a holiday gift, much like her Saturday, December 10th, this year.
Businesses, schools, civic groups and an army of volunteers will donate, collect and organize toys and other items at a temporary mall at the Bellevue Christian Center.
Parker said every group has created its own niche for the event.St. Columbine volunteers collect clothing to create new clothes that every child can wear. The Papillion Area Lions Club man takes it upon himself to ensure that every basketball, football and soccer his ball is properly inflated.
“They’re hard workers. They want to come in, eat donuts, and go to work,” Parker said.
As clients arrive, each is ushered in by a personal helper for a 30-minute walk through the shopping space. Pick up stocking goodies in one area, pick up a book in another area, and wade through a table of neatly sorted toys.
After shopping, volunteers at the Bellevue Christian Center gift-wrap all presents. Guests can relax and enjoy free food and coffee. Parker said the diet promotes a “sense of camaraderie among family members” and reduces stress and embarrassment.
She said that when workers at human service agencies meet with clients, it’s usually a time of panic.
“It can be overwhelming when you’ve never needed help before,” says Parker. “I want to make it a fun opportunity, not a crisis.”
