Letter to the Editor:

Howard County residents have once again demonstrated their generosity by their contributions to the Christmas Holiday House project.  On Dec. 10, gifts were distributed to 101 families for 239 children in the county.  (Last year’s count was 91 families/208 children.)   All of this is thanks to the monetary donations, work from energetic volunteers, and the community gifts of toys, games, and books that were donated throughout the year. 

Twenty-one years ago, Fayette citizen Carolyne Peery introduced the first Christmas Holiday House to Howard County.  Since then, the project has grown substantially.  Today, Christmas Holiday House works under the auspices of the Outreach Committee of the First Christian Church.  First Baptist Church members provide space for registration, storage, and distribution of gifts each year.  A big “thank you” goes to both of these church families. 

Current co-chairs Pat Hilgedick and Beverly Markland work tirelessly and selflessly to assure that the Christmas Holiday House continues its fine work in Howard County.  Laura Lewis is instrumental in shopping for age-appropriate items throughout the year and organizing the distribution process.  Many other volunteers work diligently throughout the year to:  purchase gifts; collect drop boxes; register families; organize, set out, and distribute gift items; and clean up afterward.  The time and efforts of all the volunteers are very much appreciated.

Without donations, the Christmas Holiday House would not be successful. In past years, generous donors included individuals, church groups, civic organizations, businesses, and other groups.  Even the Fayette Police Department has joined in with financial and volunteer support. This community really knows how to give!

Thank you to Scholastic, Inc., headquartered in Jefferson City, for donating boxes of books for all ages.  Their annual support to this cause has been outstanding and very much appreciated.

Appreciation also goes to The Fayette Advertiser and the Glasgow Missourian for promoting this important project by publicizing registration and distribution dates.  These area newspapers are very willing to help get the word out to everyone in the county.  

It is not too early to consider making purchases or cash donations any time throughout the coming year as we begin to prepare for Christmas Holiday House 2023.  For information, please contact one of the co-chairs of Christmas Holiday House:  Pat Hilgedick at 660-248-3172 or Beverly Markland at 573-239-0709.

Sincere gratitude and a “Merry Christmas” to all from the Christmas Holiday House Committee.  

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of others.”  Charles Dickens