Share-A-Christmas delivery day spreads joy across Holmes County

Holmes County Share-A-Christmas comes but once a year, but here’s the thing: That actually means all year.

While the big day of delivering presents, food, gift vouchers and more to 235 families and more than 100 senior citizens took place Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Baker Building at Harvest Ridge, Share-A-Christmas has become an even more important aspect of Holmes County because it provides for area families throughout the year when needs arise.

“It’s always inspiring to see this project come together, especially to see all of these volunteers doing their thing both prior to the distribution day in getting everything in place and then on distribution day when these vehicles roll in one after another to deliver to area families,” said Mike Taylor, one of the founding fathers of SAC.

One of the neat things about SAC is it continues to see new involvement from Holmes County’s youth, from those collecting cans and boxes of food for the food drives that take place at area schools to the high school students who volunteer their time to bag and tag all the toys for distribution and those who show up delivery day to help get the Christmas packages into vehicles.

It all adds up to a special day filled with people who have a heart for giving back to the community.

West Holmes High School head football coach Keaton Leppla was one of those young people who gave back during his high school years. The Knights’ football team is joined by many other WHHS athletic programs that choose to give back.

“I think it’s not known how much need there is in the community, and it's especially true for our students that it sometimes isn’t apparent that there are many needs in the community,” Leppla said.

He said for young people in particular, volunteering for SAC can be an eye-opening time when they realize that although Holmes County is blessed in many ways, there are hurts and needs that can be met through the giving of other people.

He said that was a valuable message he learned as a student at WHHS, and it is one he wants to make sure his players understand today.

“Today, as a father and a head coach of a football family, you get to see the needs out there, and you see how important it is for our kids to gain some insight into those needs that are out there,” Leppla said. “One of the most special things about Holmes County and the reason I’ve always wanted to be here is that there is a special feeling of giving and taking care of others.”

He said it’s also a neat message for his players to understand that the community gives a great deal to the many athletic programs in Holmes County, and it is important they reciprocate through giving back in moments like SAC.

Taylor said it also is encouraging to see younger and middle-aged adults taking on key roles in the SAC program. This year some key figures retired from their roles — people like Bob Porter, who oversaw the entire process, and Steph Ditmars, who oversaw the Baker Building proceedings.

Taylor said seeing young blood assuming those roles and continuing to carry the mantle of everything SAC stands for is exciting.

“These young people are stepping in and continue to carry the load, and that is what we need to have happen,” Taylor said. “People like Steph, Ruth, Crissey and Bob have been inspiring.”

Just because they stepped down from their roles doesn’t mean they have completely exited the program. For the first time in many decades, Porter was freed up to do something he’d always wanted to do but never could: deliver presents to area families.

Mindi Campbell, who now co-chairs SAC with Nikki Roach, took over for Porter and said all the volunteers are simply doing what is necessary to keep the gift of giving through SAC humming along, as it has for nearly four decades.

“This is special because it’s our community caring for our community, and everything that comes in here — all of the donations of food, toys and money — all goes right back into providing for families,” said Cambell, who has headed up the perishable station at Holmes Fire District #1 for many years. “None of us get paid. We all volunteer because it’s the right thing to do and we want to help others.”

Which is exactly what took place once again Saturday, Dec. 13 when the Baker Building looked like an active beehive of activity, all in the name of neighbors serving neighbors.