Despite
the leaves starting to change color and temperatures feeling a bit cooler as
fall begins in the Midwest, Sharon Kinder, executive director of Grandview
Assistance Program (GAP), has Christmas on her mind. Each year, the
organization provides a Christmas store for area families in need. During a
time of celebration and giving for most families, some in our area depend on
local agencies such as GAP to help provide what they can’t.
This
year, however, GAP is beginning the season with a deficit. For several years,
the organization has partnered with a local church to provide storage space for
items to be used in the Christmas store. Recently, someone took the liberty to
go through those items, taking a significant amount with them. After doing a
thorough inventory of all the Christmas store items, it was discovered that
nearly $600 of new donated items were missing. Also, things that Kinder and her
volunteers were unable to put a value on or account for went missing as well.
“Anything
that we bought last year at a discount, like scarves, hats and mitten sets, are
now full price,” said Kinder. “How do you put a value on that?”
In
order to make up ground to provide the Christmas store this year, Kinder
started to search for a secure location to store the items. The Grandview
School District, one of GAP’s largest supporters, came through with a plan. Dr.
Ralph Teran, Superintendent, called Kinder after getting wind of the
circumstances.
“Dr.
Teran, who is a great advocate for us, contacted me right away asking what the
school district can do to help,” said Kinder. “There were a couple of places that
the district had in mind, but this one worked out to be the best.”
The
location that the district offered Kinder is the former daycare center across
Highgrove Road from the high school. In the past, the district used the
building as a staging area. Last Saturday, Kinder and volunteers spent some time
cleaning up the building so they can begin moving items over to that location as
soon as possible. According to Kinder, there is wiring for an alarm in the
building and she will be researching ways to get that facilitated quickly in
order to provide the security she is looking for.
“With
us having the key, we’ll be the only ones going in and out,” said Kinder.
Because
of the impact of the items that were taken from storage for the Christmas store,
GAP is hoping to receive donations in order to provide for the community this
season. Those wishing to donate have until December 9 to drop items off any
time Monday through Friday at the GAP office during open hours. Suggested items
for donations include: for preschoolers, baby dolls, Tonka toys, Fisher-Price
toys, Playskool toys, etc.; for ages 6 – 11, radio-controlled vehicles, Barbie
dolls, craft sets, Star Wars toys, Transformers, Power Rangers, Batman,
Avengers, Spiderman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Legos, Nerf, Hot Wheels, Barbies,
basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, etc.; and for pre-teens and teenagers,
portable CD players, cosmetic sets (both men’s and women’s), craft sets
(scrapbooking, jewelry making, etc.), sports equipment (skateboards, footballs,
basketballs, scooters), handheld electronic games, radio controlled vehicles,
hair straighteners, etc. Also needed are winter wear (coats, gloves,
hats
and scarves) and warm blankets.
“What
you give locally, stays locally,” said Kinder.
GAP
services Grandview and the Grandview School District area, including Martin
City. GAP provides a variety of services to their clients. They are primarily
an emergency assistance program dedicated to helping families and individuals,
with a goal of providing stability during crisis situations. In general, GAP helps
families with the following basic needs: rental assistance when an eviction
notice has been received, food for short-term needs, utility
assistance when a shut-off or disconnect notice has been received, school
supplies and the Christmas Store.
Beginning
Tuesday, November 5, Grandview Assistance Program will be taking applications
for Christmas assistance on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
to 2:30 p.m. Applications will be accepted until November 26, or until all
appointment slots are full. Items needed are current (up-to-date) lease or
mortgage verification, picture I.D., social security cards for all household
members, and income for all household members for the month of October 2013.
For more information, visit their website at www.gapcares.org, or visit 1121
Main Street in Grandview. Grandview Assistance Program is a not-for-profit
agency with a 501(c) (3) status. All contributions are tax-deductible.
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