Lions Glenn Own and Debbie Conner sort donated items for Christmas Baskets
The Chestertown Lions Club completed their annual Christmas Baskets for the needy service project on Dec. 16th, working with various clubs and organizations to deliver boxes of food and 577 bags of new toys to over 400 needy families and seniors in Kent County. The project has served Kent County since the 1980s and has been coordinated by the Lions Clubs of Galena, Millington, Still Pond, Rock Hall and Chestertown since 2000.
It’s a coordinated effort with the 4H Club, Dixon Valve, Kent County Social Services and local fire stations. Additional volunteers in sorting and boxing the food included students and staff from Chestertown Christian Academy, Kent High School and Washington College.
Beth Hill of 4-H Youth Development in Kent County heads up the annual 4-H toy drive. Included with the toys were new hats and gloves.
Included in the food boxes are items for a Christmas dinner, including a ham, vegetables, side dishes and desserts.
Dixon Valve provides the empty boxes as well as the trucking of purchased food from Pennsylvania warehouses. The area Lions clubs’ joint Christmas Basket Committee purchased $12,000. in food and the rest came from local food drives and the generous support of local food stores and individuals.
Volunteer and staff firefighters from county-wide fire stations along with Lions Club members assisted in the deliveries.
For the past three years, Galena Lion Debbie Conner has coordinated and overseen this massive service event. Funds from the Galena and Still Pond Lions Clubs’ Virtual Horse Race Night fundraiser were used for this service, as well as donations from all the other Lions Clubs.
The Lions Club takes an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community, encourages service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavors. For more information on the club or to become a member, please visit www.Chestertownlions.org
Elizabeth Hill says
Thank you Ms. Debbie Conner for coordinating this incredible event. The Kent 4-H Program is so proud of our 15 year partnership on the toy side of the Christmas Baskets. We were able to provide multiple toys and gifts to the 577 youth ages newborn to 18 years. Thanks to the Kent County community for generosity and continues support. Thank you to our 30 member youth planning committee, 4-H parents, families and volunteers who support the youth and this service project. And. thank you to all the amazing volunteers who deliver the toys. We had so much fun celebrating 25 years of this project! Happy Holidays to all and see you again next year for our 26th Annual Toy Drive.