Student-managed Ellsworth Gift Box Program makes Christmas special for families in need.

YOU CAN HELP!

A great way to get into the spirit of giving is by helping our community, and one great organization that could use some support this year is the Ellsworth Gift Box program.

Ellsworth Gift Box was started by community members about 20 years ago. For the last six years, it’s been under the leadership of Ellsworth School District Service Learning Coordinator Anne Pechacek, who hand-

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picks a group of students to oversee and run the day-to-day operations of the program.

This years team is senior Charlize Smith and juniors McKenna Minder, Carlie Mewhorter and Wyatt Nelson. Charlize is in her third year helping with the program, and McKenna, Carlie and Wyatt are in year two.

These students are working hard working with families in the area in need – the program helps about 85 families each year – but with everything going on, the program needs a little financial lift-up from the community.

“We usually have a lot of service groups that help us out each year, but many haven’t met this year,” Pechacek said.

And, with COVID-19, there are more families struggling to make ends meet this year.

McKenna and Carlie got involved in the program last year. They learn a lot from it.

“The students do everything. They organize the program,” said Pechacek.

The program runs as a class that can be taken for credit or Service Learning hours.

“I’m glad I got involved. It’s so worthwhile,” said McKenna, who “drafted” her best friend Carlie in with her.

“When Miss P. asked if I wanted to do it, I had never heard of it before,” said McKenna. “I said, ‘Sure. I have some room in my schedule.’ It’s really fun.”

“McKenna asked me if I was interested in it, and I’m glad I got involved. It’s such a meaningful program,” said Carlie.

Families fill out profiles listing family size and children’s ages, sizes, favorite colors and special wants. From there, Gift Box sponsors step in and can either do the shopping for the kids or let program volunteers take care of it. A rule of thumb if you can sponsor a family is that gifts cost about $100 per child.

“A lot of sponsors like to do the shopping. It’s fun for them, and if they have kids they can help pick gifts,” said Pechacek.

The Ellsworth Gift Box program offers rewards in many ways. Most importantly, it helps families in need, and there’s the satisfaction of giving and helping out for sponsors.

For students who run the program, it’s something else.

“To just see how happy the families are, it brings joy,” said McKenna.

“I just made a phone call to a family to let them know we were helping, and you can just hear the excitement,” said Carlie.

Pierce-Pepin Cooperative plays a big part every year. This year, Pierce-Pepin donated $1,000 to help out (see related article and picture on page 7). They also host the gift pickup for families, this year on Dec. 14-15.

“They donate their facility for our use, which is awesome,” said Pechacek.

The Gift Box program has a list of about 20 families that still need to be matched with sponsors. Please help if you can! Checks can be sent to: Ellsworth Gift Box 323 Hillcrest St.

Ellsworth, WI 54011 For more information, email Pechacek at [email protected]