The November 25, 2024 edition of the Star-Post featured an article about the Christmas Care Drive.
Carrying on the Christmas Care Drive vision
Brings joy to families, seniors, schools, veterans
By Carol Moorman
Turkey bowling is back at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, at Trappers Pub & Grub, 27011 County Road 23, in rural Farming. Participants toss processed and packaged frozen turkeys down a makeshift alley. The event raises money for the Christmas Care Drive, said Lucy Hagemeier, board member.
Other board members include Tyna and Terry Meemken, Stephanie Jacobs, Mary Schaefer, Melissa Becker and Chris Wehseler.
Tony Thelen was instrumental in starting the Christmas Care Drive to benefit local families during a joy filled season.
He had a vision in 1996. This Farming resident wanted families to celebrate Christmas especially when they thought that was not going to happen. His goal was to make sure children had gifts to open on Christmas morning and there was food for each family so they were able to enjoy themselves.
This from a man who was born on Christmas Eve in 1970.
Even though Thelen passed away in 2018, at age 47, the Christmas Care Drive continues today thanks to dedicated volunteers who carry on his vision.
Schaefer said Thelen had a way of getting people to pitch in.
“Tony hooked us into sneaking gifts to people,” said Schaefer, who along with her husband, Bob, played Santa’s helpers years ago when they first met Thelen.
Today, Mary Schaefer coordinates the gifts for families, as part of the care drive.
“When Tony stepped back he asked me to work with the families, and I’ve been doing it ever since,” Schaefer said. “That’s my favorite part. Out here people don’t necessarily want to ask for help, but maybe if we help them, a few years later when things are better for them they will reciprocate and help us.”
Each year, care drive volunteers bring joy to 30-35 families, senior citizens, schools and veterans, providing toys and essential necessities like food, gifts and clothes.
Names of families — often people going through challenging times — are given to committee members and remain anonymous. Families are able to choose gifts, which have been donated to the care drive, for their children at the Farming Community Center.
“The one thing that amazes me is people in this area are so giving,” Schaefer said. “That says a lot for this community.”
She said thanks to that generosity, the care drive team is able to help people in need all year around.
As part of the Christmas Care Drive, a live auction will be held starting at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Trappers Pub & Grub.
Schaefer said during the COVID-19 years they did the auction online, but they have gone back to an in-person live auction, which allows for more community connections.
“It’s much better to have everybody at the bar,” she said. “It brings people together as a community to help people.”
Baskets with food and personal care items will be packed starting at 8 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Farming Community Center. They are delivered by volunteers to senior citizens in the Richmond, St. Martin, Farming, Albany, Freeport, Roscoe and New Munich communities. They are looking for volunteers to help pack bags, which will then be distributed.
“We pack about 750 baskets in an hour,” Hagemeier said. “It’s amazing how fast we get them packed and out the door.”
Chances are Thelen is smiling down from above knowing his vision continues today, ensuring families and individuals are able to celebrate Christmas thanks to the Christmas Care Drive.
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The November 23, 2014 edition of the Dairyland Peach featured an article about the Christmas Care Drive.
Christmas Care Drive brings holiday cheer to community and families in need
By Kerry Drager
Correspondent
For roughly 15 years community members in Farming and the surrounding areas have sponsored the Christmas Care Drive during the holiday season. The events sponsored by the Christmas Care Drive help generate funds to create care baskets to be donated to needy families and seniors while providing holiday cheer for people of all ages.
The Christmas Care Drive kicks off before Thanksgiving by hosting an evening of Turkey Bowling and a meat raffle at Trappers Pub and Grub in Farming, Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 8 p.m.
Turkey bowling is a game of laughter and perhaps a bit of skill. Participants use a frozen turkey as their bowling ball to knock down the pins. Those who get strikes and pull in the highest scores will get to compete against other top scoring players. Participants are asked to pay $2 per frame or purchase 3 frames for $5.
The Farming baseball team is sponsoring the meat raffle during the bowling event, and The Peanut Gallery will be playing for additional entertainment. Bartenders will offer decorated stockings to the cause for $10 per stocking.
The remaining events this season include a live auction and another meat raffle on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m., and pictures with Santa with a food shelf or $5 donation on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. All proceeds from these events will be used towards the Christmas Care Drive.
The Christmas Care Drive uses the funds earned to provide food baskets and items of need for the elderly and struggling families in the area. Last year they donated over 400 baskets to citizens around Avon, Albany, Saint Martin, Richmond, Freeport and Farming.
“Last year we had nine families that we know of for sure. We’ve got as many as six nursing homes and assisted living businesses that we donate to. If they come to us and let us know, we can help them out,” said committee member Tyna Meemken.
The Christmas Care Drive is directed by a committee of individuals that work throughout the year to create the events that provide the funds needed to make the care baskets. Bob and Mary Schaefer, Nancy Stalboerger, Steph Jacobs and Terry and Tyna Meemken have been on the committee for two years. They have added to the events that are offered, including a sharing tree and the pictures with Santa. There are plans of reaching out and helping additional area cities including Cold Spring.
“This is a new committee. We are still in the growing process. At this point, we are trying to get our feet wet. It’ll take a few years to grow to where we want, but we need more support. The more support we have in the local communities, the more we can do. It’s important to show our communities what we can do and how we raise our money, to show them that it all goes back into the community,” said Meemken.
The success of the events is made possible by the donations of not only money, but the time and efforts of many local groups, businesses and individuals. The Lions Club, Jaycees and 4-H Clubs have all played an important part in helping the Christmas Care Drive be a success. Colonel Dan Winter from Springhill donates his time and services for the Christmas Care Drive Auction. The Farming Community Store donates items for events and the care baskets. Jagged Edge Entertainment keeps the spirit alive with music by donating their DJ Services, and Micki J. Photography of New Munich will be providing the pictures with Santa this year.
It is a community effort to ensure that those in need get to experience a happy holiday this year. Their dedication and selflessness is the true meaning of the season.
Come and enjoy the festivities that the Christmas Care Drive is sponsoring while giving to those less fortunate in the community. The good times and warm laughter is well worth the trip to Trappers Pub and Grub of Farming this holiday season.