Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
COL. SANDRA KEEFER, left, JROTC Instructor at Ironwood Area Schools and some of her students help to wrap gifts for children of low-income families during the Santa's Headquarters event at the Gogebic County Fairgrounds Multi-purpose building on Tuesday afternoon. Pictured with Keefer are Nolan Superits, 16, Brian Miller, 14, and Isabella Peekman, 16.
By CHARITY SMITH
Ironwood - Parents and guardians of children in low-income families were able to pick out Christmas gifts for their kids at the Gogebic County fairgrounds on Wednesday afternoon.
The gifts were provided through the Santa's Headquarters annual event, which is a cooperative effort of several local non-profit groups including the Michigan State University Extension office, St. Vincent DePaul, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency, the Great Start Collaborative and Kiwanis.
"It went well, most families showed up to get stuff," said Erin Ross of the MSU Extension. She said those who couldn't attend will be able to pick up their items at the MSU Extension office in Bessemer.
This was the first year the event has been held at the fairgrounds. Ross said it has traditionally been held at the Ironwood Memorial Building, but the building was not available this year.
Gifts were organized by age and gender, on tables in the multi-purpose building.
Around 120 families participated in the event, which provided Christmas gifts for more than 320 children. The parents and guardians were able to pick out one large toy, a blanket, a bottle of shampoo, socks, five stocking stuffers and a stuffed animal for each child, a game for the family, and one jacket per family and some extras.
The families also received a $70 grocery gift card and another for $20.
Volunteers from a variety of organizations helped out, including those from the JROTC from Ironwood Area Schools, students with the Bessemer Key Club, and Gogebic County 4-H, Klassic Kruisers car club, ADK Teachers Sorority, the Kiwanis Club and other individuals.
The students also wrapped gifts and helped parents in getting items to their vehicles. Personnel from the Western U.P. Health Department were on hand to offer a flu vaccine to those who wanted one at no charge.
A second Santa's Headquarters distribution was held in Watersmeet on Thursday for 27 additional families.
