Close to 90 families and 250 children had a Merry Christmas thanks to the generosity of Kewaunee County residents and visitors. Volunteers distributed enough toys last Saturday at Kewaunee High School to provide gifts for 88 families and 245 children. The event occurred as shoppers were filling up Salvation Army Red Kettles to help families meet ends meet throughout the year. Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski helps lead both campaigns during the winter season. While the warm fuzzies are nice, Joski says there are other reasons why he stays active in such causes and encourages to do the same.
Kettles were up throughout the community through Christmas Eve, but last year’s month-long Salvation Army Kettle Campaign raised over $20,000. You can read more from Sheriff Matt Joski below.
FROM MATT JOSKI
As we get closer to the Christmas season most people’s thoughts are occupied with preparations for family gatherings and last minute shopping ideas. For some however their minds are on recent life changing events which may have put them in dire financial times. They may be sitting down at their tables deciding whether to pay the heating bill or the mortgage payment. They may be choosing between gas in the car or supper.
Some parents are listening to their children’s wish list knowing full well they will not be able to gather the resources to make their children’s wishes come true. It is for these families that so many in our community reach beyond their own needs and wants and provide much needed donations and gifts during the Holiday season.
This past Saturday, we held our Kewaunee County Toys for Tots distribution event as we have for almost three decades. This year, we actually had a decrease in the number of families that we assisted, and many of these families were new to the program. We also had families that received toys in previous years that volunteered to help out in this year’s program which is always a great thing to see. This year we were able to provide gifts for 88 families with a total of 245 children. Thank you to all who have donated and to those who assisted with the distribution. Thank you also to the many businesses who allowed us to put a box in the place of business. We couldn’t have done it without you! Let’s all make sure we in turn take care of these businesses by considering them first in our purchases and service needs.
Another program which assists our neighbors in need throughout the year is our Salvation Army Kettle Campaign. As a voucher writer for the Salvation Army I can attest to the need for these resources and the impact that it has at critical moments in people’s lives. This year’s campaign is also coming to an end with the last day of bell ringing being on Christmas Eve. Thank you to all who have taken time out of their busy lives to ring bells and to those who stopped for a moment to drop a donation into the Kettles. I have no doubt this year’s campaign will be just as successful as year’s past.
I recently spoke to a group of students on this very issue and I got to thinking; why does all of this matter in the scope of being Sheriff? I do believe that programs like this as well as the efforts of so many charitable organization makes for a safer community and here’s why.
Most crimes are committed for two reasons, Desperation and Isolation. I have seen many good people make poor choices because they felt they had few to no options. If we can provide assistance at critical moments maybe that assistance is the difference between that person or a member of their family doing right or doing wrong.
The second factor, Isolation has to do with our accountability to each other. If through our giving we show that we do in fact care and that we take time to help one another it builds a stronger sense of community. It is my firm belief that this stronger sense of community may in fact make a difference when an individual is contemplating a criminal act against another. This is just my optimistic view and you can accept it or disregard it but I do believe that we can start to change the world by what we do here in our communities. Be Safe, Take Care, and have a wonderful Christmas!!
