Appleton coordinators are grateful for support from volunteers and sponsors
By Jeff Kurowski | On Mission
APPLETON — A young boy couldn’t contain his excitement when he arrived at the second annual Christmas party for families in housing transition, held on Dec. 7 and hosted at St. Thomas More Parish by Appleton’s St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Thomas More Conference.
He didn’t mention Santa, the games, food or crafts. Instead, the boy said he couldn’t wait to pick out Christmas gifts for his parents.
The Christmas party for families in housing transition grew substantially from 2023’s offering.
“We had 80 people last year. This year, we’re over 200,” said Karen Rickert, who suggested the idea for the inaugural event last year after visiting a party hosted by the Green Bay Vincentians.
“Last year, we just did it by word of mouth for families we visited (as Vincentians). This year, we made contact with the Appleton School District. They gave the invitation to families that were homeless, in shelters or had needs,” she said.
Rickert, secretary of the conference and a member of St. Thomas More Parish, was joined by three additional coordinators for this year’s Christmas party — Kiki Harke and MaryBeth Murphy, both of St. Thomas More Parish, and Julie Kuehl of St. Pius X Parish, Appleton.
Approximately 100 volunteers and 25 sponsors made the event a success.
Harke was in charge of the food. “Draft Gastropub and Sangria’s (Mexican Grill), both came through. When I asked them, they said that they want to serve the people of the community,” she said.
Volunteers at the Christmas party represented a cross section of the community.
“We have a lot of kids from Xavier High School and Xavier Middle School (Appleton) helping us out, people from the community, different Vincentians, different church communities, the Lions Club,” said Harke.
Personal shoppers helped children select parent gifts and with wrapping, if needed. Parents were able to select gifts for their children in a different room.
Each child also received winter clothing.
“The Clothes Closet has a donor who gave us 144 pairs of snow pants. The Knights of Columbus from St. Thomas More gave us 84 brand new coats,” said Rickert. “I bought boots every time money came in. They come in and get their coat, snow pants, boots and a pair of socks. Then we have hats and mittens. A lady made scarves.”
Each child also received a new pillow and pillowcase. Joan, a volunteer with the Appleton Noon Lions Club, made the pillowcases.
“Our club has been making pillowcases for the shelters,” said Joan. “We thought this would be a great way to expand to more children.”
Volunteer Linda DeLong had the opportunity to give each child a new blanket, all of which were provided by the Project Linus chapter that serves Winnebago, Outagamie and Calumet Counties.
“I have a fun job. It’s a warm fuzzy,” said DeLong. “They will see one they like and that’s the one they take, even if it’s in the middle of the pile.”
Families also received household products.
“We put together these ‘Blessing Bags’ that have toilet paper, tissue, shampoo, laundry pods, nail clippers,” said Rickert. “We give them a (St. Thomas More) church bulletin. We want to invite them to come to church.”
There were also Kwik Trip gas cards and gift cards from Culver’s, she said.
St. Pius X Parish provided food items. Families were invited to select five items from the food table and children who visited Santa received a filled stocking.
Rickert said that organizers learned from last year and made sure to have large bags on hand for families to transport all the items they received.
Housing continues to be a struggle for many Appleton families, said Rickert.
She explained that St. Vincent de Paul is working on a new mini loan program to help people and deter them from taking out payday loans with high interest rates or collateral.
The Christmas party will continue to be an annual offering because “the need will still be there,” she said.
“When I first brought it to our conference, I said, ‘We’ve got to do this.’ Green Bay did a wonderful job and we need to do it to help the people in our area,” said Rickert.
“It’s so fun to do,” said Harke. “It’s very hectic, but to see the looks on people’s faces is worth it.”