School district families and the Minisink Valley community again help Minisink Cares make the holidays brighter for 165 children

hallway fill of bikesApproximately 165 children in the Minisink Valley community have received gifts and food for the holidays through the kindness and generosity of the Minisink Cares Holiday Program.

“I wish I could put into words the feeling we experience and the emotions we witness when a family comes to pick up their gifts and food,” said Debbie Roda, Minisink Cares Board of Directors president and district clerk.  “The families are seeing how much love and support they have from total strangers at a time when they are in need of a little help.”

bags of clothingIn addition to the gifts and food baskets, every child received a new comforter donated by Toyota of Middletown, by the Christine Thomas Memorial Fund for Helping Others or by Christine Thomas’ family.

Additionally, the school district’s food drive collected 236 large shopping bags truckload of turkeysfilled with dry and canned goods.  The Minisink Valley Kiwanis Club donated turkeys to add to those baskets.  Food baskets were donated by Greenville United Methodist Church, Faith Reformed Church, Westtown Presbyterian Church, Knights of Columbus, Greenville Lions Club, Otisville/Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church and Spirit Warrior Martial Arts.

tables of donated clothingYour willingness to participate, to shop and to donate to the Minisink Cares Holiday Program goes above and beyond,” said Ms. Roda. “It’s simply extraordinary. The greatest gift is love.  Thanks for sharing yours this holiday season.”

To see more photos, visit the district’s Facebook page.