Share has touched the lives of those in need
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After more than two decades of fund-raising efforts sponsored by the high school’s Interact Club and the Southern Standard, volunteers reflected on what the community contributes to those in need each year.
Hickory Creek school counselor Kay Brownyard is one of those volunteers. With more than a decade of coordinating Share donations at her school she couldn’t refuse when initially asked to help in 1991.
“I thought about my own family. There were nine kids in my family. We lived on a farm and things were hard for us. And I just kind of put myself in the place of the children and the families in thinking how wonderful it would be to have just a very, extra special nice family Christmas dinner,” Brownyard said.
“I think that’s my personal reason for getting involved. And we have so many children who benefit. The reason now is I personally know so many families and children’s families who benefit from the program.”
Bart Stanley, who has been involved for approximately eight years as an Interact Club member in high school and a Rotary Club member today, said he appreciates seeing Interact teens working toward something positive. Stanley and Dr. Todd Noblin serve as Noon Rotary sponsors, while Peggy Bratcher is the Breakfast Rotary sponsor. Debra Grepperud acts as Interact sponsor at the high school.
“A lot of people have a generalized view of teens nowadays – that they’re all using drugs and are mean-spirited and things like that – and it is nice to see these kids volunteering their time helping other people who are less fortunate who need help,” Stanley said.
“So it gives me a lot of hope about the kids of today becoming good citizens in the future. That’s one thing and of course it’s always good to know you’re doing some good for people who can’t help themselves.”
Bratcher said she was impressed at the consistent level of response in the community as well as the dedication of Interact Club members, who contribute a lot of physical labor.
“They get a lot out of it. It goes both ways. It’s good for the people who need the food and it’s good for the teenagers who work so hard to help those in need. It’s impressive this has been supported for over 20 years,” Bratcher added.
Today, Brownyard makes referrals for needy children as well as coordinates a school-wide fund-raiser, where able children volunteer to forgo their snack money and donate it to Share instead.
Last year, Share distributed more than 500 food baskets. Brownyard noted 41 percent of the 700 students at Hickory Creek alone are eligible for free and reduced lunches. She said the impact of Share is meaningful.
“They know they’ll have a nice Christmas dinner through Share, and if they have any money at all, then they can spend that for something for the family,” she said.
The Share A Christmas Dinner project is coordinated at the Standard by general manager Sharon Patrick. Fund-raising generally begins in November and lasts through December. Funds raised are used to purchase groceries that are packed into boxes and mostly distributed by the Interact Club members, traditionally near the end of December.
Donations to Share may be made to Share A Christmas Dinner, P.O. Box 150, McMinnville, Tenn., 37111, Attention: Sharon Patrick.