The Christmas season is a time for giving, especially to those in need. Many people struggle to provide for their families throughout the year, and with the added costs during December, the help is especially needed and appreciated. This is where the Christmas Families program steps in. Families will apply for assistance through the Christmas Bureau of Kendallville, giving information about the size and ages of the family members with their interests. Then volunteers will pick out an application and help give that family a nice Christmas.

Matt Rickey, an 11^th grade teacher at East Noble High School, has participated in the program every year for over 30 years and he and his students help make a family’s Christmas special. Rickey picks out an application and then writes the information of each member, the needs and the interests of the family on the chalk board in his classroom. Students will then write their names next to the item they wish to donate and they bring it into the classroom. Then, just a few days before the students go on break from school, Rickey and a few of the students take the donations to the families’ houses.

“I think it’s important for me is because it’s a part of my Christian faith to help all those who are less fortunate than me,” says Rickey. This year, Rickey and his students adopted 2 families. “For the longest time we had a gigantic food drive as a part of this program,” explains Rickey, “but now individual volunteer groups in this program take food on their own.”

Mr. Rickey and his students are just some of the people who get involved in the community during the Christmas season through the Christmas Families program, and helping fellow members of the community is a key part of building a stronger community.

“The need from one Christmas to the next is constant.  I think the charity is most wisely spent on a local level, and from what I have heard, this community has been diligent about helping others.”