Local moms organize ‘Compassion Drive’
FILE PHOTO
Former Eugene Field Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization president Samantha Raasch, left, is shown with Eugene Field students and staff after all helped collect goods during last year’s “Compassion Drive,” a holiday charity effort to assist local lower-income families. The school and PTO are not holding the drive this year, so Raasch and fellow Eugene Field mom Megan Dennis have taken on the project themselves.
Two Maryville moms with elementary school-age children are organizing a local effort to extend a helping hand to families in need this holiday season.
Megan Dennis and Samantha Raasch were both involved in last year’s “Compassion Drive” organized by Eugene Field Elementary School in partnership with the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization.
This year, the school and PTO opted not to repeat the effort, which distributed care package to lower-income families in time for Christmas, so Dennis and Raasch decided it was up to them to keep the torch burning.
Over the past few weeks, the two women have been collecting money and in-kind gifts. They hope to use the donations to create about 500 care bags and packages containing personal hygiene items, winter caps and gloves, meal coupons, and non-perishable foods like protein bars and pudding cups.
Dennis said she and Raasch plan to continue collecting cash and goods through Dec. 12 and distribute the care packages from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, at the First United Methodist Church, located at 102 N. Main St. in Maryville.
There are no formal eligibility requirements for receiving a package, Dennis said. Anyone who feels in need of assistance is welcome to participate.
Last year’s Compassion Drive distributed about 120 care parcels, and Dennis said she was surprised to learn just how many needy families there are in and around Maryville — thus this year’s effort to quadruple the number of packages handed out.
So far, Dennis said, the collection effort has been going well and has netted about $200 in cash and a significant number of in-kind gifts from both businesses and individuals.
If the charity drive is a success, Dennis said she and Raasch want to establish a non-profit organization and turn the initiative into a permanent event.
She added that the only motivation is to aid local adults and children facing hardship as winter sets in.
“We just want to help people who don’t necessarily have the means of getting the things they need,” Dennis said. “Both of us being mothers, we know that there are many children in need of these items.”
One challenge Dennis and Raasch are facing is pulling together a charity effort from scratch without the benefit of a sponsoring organization, such as a church or a school.
Basically it’s just the two of them, though Dennis said she is hoping the Nodaway County Ministry Center will help spread the word among client families who patronize its food pantry and clothing distribution center.
In addition, the women have been hanging up fliers in gas stations and stores and otherwise trying to get the word out through Facebook, word of mouth, and public service announcements on local radio.
Dennis said she hopes to collect or purchase enough goods to place 20 or 25 items in each care bag. Articles sought include sanitary wipes, lip balm, combs and brushes, any personal hygiene item, hand and foot warmers, travel mugs, thermal socks, coats and hoodies, scarves, winter gloves and caps, shaving gear, feminine products, and nutritious, non-perishable snacks and easy-open soup.
Anyone interested in donating cash or goods can email Dennis at [email protected] or Raasch at [email protected].
