Seasonal collections offer help, hope

By Mary Glindinning 

Everywhere you look this holiday season, there are opportunities to share money or gifts anonymously with people who you don’t even know. 

In a toy drive sponsored by the Dodgeville Chronicle and Mineral Point Democrat Tribune and Chamber of Commerce, readers gave hundreds of toys of all kinds: trains, trucks, dolls, games, books, and one generous cash donation. 

“It is just so heartwarming,” said Cory Graber-Bennett, executive director of the Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce. “I love doing it,” knowing it ensures “that magical morning” with the presents under the tree. 

The toys go to the Iowa County Holiday Project for distribution throughout the county. More than 110 families also receive necessities and ingredients for a holiday meal. 

More than 40 civic groups, churches, businesses and individuals collect toys, paper goods and other essentials for the 30-year-old Holiday Project. 

Iowa County Social Services takes referrals, avoids duplication and delivers the gifts. 

“I just think it’s a good program for the community,” said Lori Cerutti, social services specialist with Iowa County Social Services, who coordinates the program. “I like to see everybody help everyone.” 

The papers’ toy drive is just one of many local holiday collections, including Toy for Tots, Empty Stocking, Christmas for Kids Southwest Wisconsin and Santa Cop. 

Throughout the area, people make donations or host events to raise money for many worthy causes. 

“We have never had more people than this year come to us and request a basket because they are struggling with the high cost of groceries,” said Lorie Rule, communications coordinator for Hidden Valley Community Church in Dodgeville. “This year we were asked to fill 115 baskets for families or elderly individuals.”

For more than 20 years, the congregation has purchased items and filled a laundry basket for the Holiday Project. 

“Our congregation understands that everyone who helps to fill a Christmas basket has played a small part in someone else’s story,” Rule said. “It's pretty humbling to know that giving paper products, detergents and personal care items would make a difference in a family’s ability to celebrate Christmas.”

Each individual act, such as putting a toy in a donation bin or taking a wish tag off a giving tree, might be small but they add up to a better holiday for the receiver and giver. 

Sometimes it continues a legacy of giving, as in this project by the Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce:

“Dorothy Palzkill was a beloved member of the Mineral Point community, known for her kindness and years of volunteer work in the community as well as with the Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce.

“Her legacy of compassion lives on through a donation from her son, Dave Palzkill, and his wife, Diane. After Dorothy’s passing, the couple gifted funds to the Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce in her honor. In true Dorothy fashion, the Chamber Board of Directors sought a meaningful way to give back using this donation.

“The decision was unanimous and heartfelt: the Chamber sponsored a family in need through the Iowa County Holiday Project. A Mineral Point family won’t have to worry about finding gifts to put under the tree this year. The donation was used to purchase essentials like clothing and shoes, as well as toys and other holiday surprises, ensuring their holiday season will be filled with warmth and joy.

“Dorothy’s legacy reminds us that even in passing, one person’s kindness can continue to inspire and uplift others. As the family enjoys their gifts this Christmas, the spirit of giving that Dorothy embodied will shine brightly in the Mineral Point community.”