A generous county

On Dec. 18, I had the opportunity help fill gift orders for the Barry County Share Your Christmas program. Volunteering to help pack gift bags for the program had a larger impact on me than I could have ever imagined.

I remember being slightly nervous about lending a hand to sort toys, but when I arrived at the Cassville Methodist Church and saw workers carrying armloads of toys inside the fellowship hall I jumped right in to help.

It was amazing to see vehicle after vehicle arrive packed with holiday gifts. When we opened the bags and boxes and began sorting the toys into different categories and I began to feel overwhelmed by the generosity of the local community.

By the time all of the toys were sorted, numerous tables were stacked high with baby dolls, stuffed animals, toddler toys, Barbie dolls, sports equipment, remote control trucks, stocking stuffers, children's makeup and a large variety of other Christmas gifts.

My nerves took over again as Share Your Christmas Committee members gave instructions on how to fill the holiday orders. Each child was to receive a large gift, a small gift, a stocking stuffer and a game to enjoy with their family.

As I was handed my first order, committee member Cheri Shumaker noticed that I looked confused. She graciously offered to help me fill my first bag and gave me pointers on how to complete other orders.

"Be generous," Cheri told me again and again.

With my first order complete, I drew another order from the stack and began scouring the sorted piles for the gifts that had been requested. "Be generous," I repeated to myself as I searched for the perfect toy.

I think I filled around eight orders during the few short hours that I volunteered to help with the Christmas program.

Many of the orders did not include any gift suggestions, which made me think that the parent knew their child would be happy with any present. I tried to think about this year's Dear Santa letters in order to select the right gift for each child.

When all of the orders were filled, it was amazing to see the stacks and stacks of toy bags. I smiled as I thought about the boys and girls who would open the gifts on Christmas day. I imagined their joy and the joy of the many parents who would be there to see their happy little faces.

Last week, I told my parents about my volunteer experience and how amazed I was by the generosity of the local community during these tough economic times.

"Barry County always comes through to help others in need," my dad said.

Before helping with Share Your Christmas I told my husband that this year the holiday season seemed extra stressful. I think helping with this program put my stress in perspective. The experience made me realize that each resident of the Barry County is blessed because we know how to "be generous" and we "always come through to help others in need."

Merry Christmas!