Christmas Food Drive Thank you

The Chandlers Lions Club would like to take a moment to recognize and thank the people, volunteers, and organization in the Chandler and Brownsboro area that supported the Christmas food drive. Our community is truly blessed with the spirit of giving and the results were amazing.

The Brookshire Grocery Company under the direction of Chris Jones and Don McLean from the Chandler store set the theme that "no one in the community should go hungry on Christmas Day." They certainly were true to their work. They set up an in store food donation collection box, established a contest in each Intermediate and Elementary schools and sponsored a party for the class that collected the most food. Also, Alison Walker from the Tyler office donated 100 baking hens to the Lions Club for Christmas food boxes. A special thanks to the staff of each school for their cooperation. Three pick-up loads of food were collect from the efforts of those wonderful children.

My fellow Lions Club members under the direction of Ruby Simon donated 115 bags of apples, oranges, and candy canes. Numerous donations were received from the local churches. Two ladies (names unknown-sorry ladies) who normally donate 75 dozen eggs each month added $70.00 to their December donation because they wanted to be sure there would be enough eggs. What a pleasant surprise when the Henderson County Independent Motorcycle Club arrived with six huge bags of toys. They are members of the Henderson County Toy Run Association. Thanks to Ron Reeves and the Chandler Police Department and their toy drive.

A special thanks to the dedication of Pat Martin who continued to order food from the Food Bank while attending to her gravely ill husband Roy in Houston. (Unfortunately Roy, a dedicated Gods Open Hands volunteer, passed away on January 4, 2008) Thanks to Gary Dinsmore and the staff and volunteers of Gods Open Hands for their hard work during Pats absents.

The spirit of Christmas truly is the spirit of giving where the rewards are much greater than the sacrifice. Please take a moment to thank those who have worked so hard not only during the Christmas season but throughout the year to help those in need. The Chandler/Brownsboro area is truly a community with a heart.