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Some
Happy Kids!
(Article for the
Montgomery Advertiser
by Allen C. McLellan)
Santa came early for 11
Montgomery young people last week. The Good Morning
Montgomery Kiwanis Club, in concert with J.C. Penney’s at
Montgomery Mall, hosted the young boys and girls on an early
morning shopping trip at Penney’s. The event was organized by
Fran Eckerly, one of the local Kiwanians.
The children are
sponsored by the Family Court of Montgomery County. Most are
living with a grandmother, aunt, or other relative who is not
their natural parent. The Juvenile Division of the Family
Court has asked the community to help make Christmas bright
for these kids where new clothes, toys, or traditional
Christmas meals are not available without some help.
The Good Morning
Montgomery Kiwanis Club began hosting Family Court children
about 5 or 6 years ago, according to club president Mike Win
stead. “This is one of the highlights of our club’s community
outreach,” Mr Winstead said. “It really warms out hearts each
year, and there aren’t many dry eyes among the adults helping
the kids shop.”
Mr
Winstead continued: “A couple of years ago, one little boy
about six years old climbed up on the knee of “Coach” Charlie
Eckerly, one of our members, and said, ‘Could you be my
daddy?’ Needless to say, Charlie had a pretty big lump in his
throat that day. These kids deserve a break in life, and we’re
just very glad to be able to help out,” Mr Winstead explained.
Mr
Jim James, the current manager of J.C. Penney’s, was at the
store early on Saturday, December 6th, to welcome
the young shoppers. His staff was especially helpful to the
young people, and the children left with clothing, shoes,
toys, and usually a special gift for their guardians.
Anyone
interested in supporting this effort may call Rosalyn Godwin
in the Juvenile Division of the Family Court at 261-4100. The
Court also needs monetary donations to buy school supplies,
school uniforms, and other articles for the kids.
(This news article prepared by Good Morning
Montgomery Kiwanis Club member, Allen C. McLellan and
submitted for publication to the Montgomery Advertiser.)
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