Giving Tree Still Growing

BY JIM MUIR, THE SOUTHERN


SESSER - In 1999 Lowanda Johnston, through her role as director of the Sesser Public Library, started The Giving Tree Fund with a very modest goal of helping 20 needy children that Christmas.

And from that humble start only seven years ago Johnston, with the help of a growing list of volunteers and an equally growing budget, has watched the number of children increase to nearly 300 in 2005. Johnston said she expects an even greater number of children this year.

The need is there and continues to grow each year, said Johnston who most days in December is knee-deep in wrapping paper and packages. Once we got started we realized the need was much greater than we thought.

As an example of how the program has progressed, when Johnston began her labor of love she had three volunteers and $150 set aside in a fund to make the initial purchases. From that meager start The Giving Tree Fund will exceed last year's total by more than $9,000 in donations and the tireless work of more than 20 volunteers.

Johnston said while the program began in Sesser it is now geared to help children on the west side of Franklin County. As she has in past years Johnston is hesitant to specifically define the area covered.

We go to Valier and to Christopher and also north of Sesser to the Waltonville area, said Johnston. But, if somebody is out there that needs help, we'll do our best to help them.

Johnson said even though there are many similar programs throughout the region, local fundraising continue to thrive.

People's hearts are still big in Southern Illinois, said Johnston. People have just been unbelievable in helping. Every year we have former residents who now live in Chicago send money to help with our local effort.

Funding for The Giving Tree comes from a variety of sources and fund raising events that start long before the Christmas season arrives. In fact, Johnston said in recent years she has taken advantage of after-Christmas bargains to begin purchasing for the next year.

We work at raising funds throughout the year because the need is there, said Johnston. My husband and I purchased a storage facility because we start buying the day after Christmas and also because we have people donate year around.

Johnston said the program is also unique because churches, organizations and individuals can actually adopt children that are on the list.

We provide the criteria name, age, and gender and then the church or organization actually purchases for that specific child, said Johnston. Or, somebody can donate $20 or $30 and specify a certain age boy or girl and we will purchase for that child.

Johnston said the program provides toys for many children that would otherwise not have Christmas presents to open and said along with the toys for children each family will receive what she labeled a family bag that will contain many items that some families struggle to purchase.

We make sure every family gets these bags that contain such items as a tooth brush, toilet paper, paper towels, said Johnston. Many of the people that we see are on food stamps and the things we provide in the family bags are items that they cannot purchase.

Sesser Mayor Ned Mitchell said that Johnston and the growing number of volunteers fill a big need in the area.

I talked to Lowanda just a couple of days ago and she already has more than 200 names for this year and she expects a big push in the coming week, said Mitchell. It just continues to get bigger every year so the need is definitely there.

Mitchell emphasized that the work is all volunteer and that Johnston her fellow workers are dollar conscious.

They put in just an unbelievable amount of hours each year, said Mitchell. And they are value-wise shoppers; they can stretch a dollar about as far as anybody I know.

Johnston emphasized that there are no administrative costs involved and that all donations go to fund the annual event.

We don't even take out for gas, said Johnston, so that every dime can go to these kids.

Johnston said Santa Claus will make a visit to Valente's Terrace, in Sesser, on Saturday between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Free photos with Santa will be available and also donations of toys and monetary contributions for The Giving Tree Fund will be accepted. Chili, hot dogs, cookies and drinks will be served and chances will be sold for two four-foot Christmas stockings. Valente's Terrace is located directly across the street from the Sesser Opera House Restaurant.

Anybody wanting to make a contribution or submit a name to The Giving Tree Fund can call 618-625-6566