BY JORDAN TROUTMAN [email protected]

Every year, the community comes together for a special cause, the annual Share Your Christmas event.

Share Your Christmas is a program through the OACAC Barry County Neighborhood Center, with help from the First Baptist Church and the Cassville United Methodist Church, to make sure children throughout the county have gift for Christmas day.

Kim Healey, Barry County Neighborhood Center supervisor, said this year, 103 families enrolled in the program, with a total of 322 children.

“I think this is the most we have ever had before,” she said. “We have families and children from all over the county, a little bit from everywhere.”

Healey said she attributes the increase to the economy this year.

“The prices of everything are so high,” she said. “There have been way more people in here. Honestly, I think our foot traffic has doubled over the year. We have an amazing community. When it comes to these kids, the community really rallies around to help — I love that.”

Share Your Christmas is open to all children under the age of 18, with a specified income requirement.

“We get kids of all ages,” Healey said. “We get all kinds of toys. Right now, we have a big toy farm, barbies, games and puzzles, blocks and even some dress up stuff.”

Healey said local businesses have a hand in the success of the program, as well.

“We have a couple of factories that adopt a few families every year,” she said. “They go out and buy the stuff then bring it back here.”

On Tuesday, the churches and OACAC gathered at the Cassville United Methodist Church to organize all of the gifts.

“Then on Wednesday (today) we will hand it all out to them,” Healey said. “Children 13 years and older get vouchers to buy their own stuff.

“This is by far my favorite part of this job. Getting to help the families and see their little faces — it’s the best.”

Healey said she has tried to turn the OACAC office into a home for people.

“I don’t want them to feel embarrassed to come in here for help,” she said. “We treat them like family, and we will do everything we can do to help them.”

The Share Your Christmas program has served Barry County communities for more than 40 years.