White County Christmas Hope Chest Family Sign Ups Begin Tuesday

Signups for the White County Christmas Hope Chest begin Tuesday, providing holiday gifts to children from infants to teenagers.

Board Member Marcie Kinnard said hosting the event to give to families in need of assistance with the holiday season is a great feeling.

“There has been a great need for it,” Kinnard said. “We had around 200 families that we served last year and we expect to do a minimum of 200 this year, possibly more.”

Kinnard said that she expects to help anywhere between 300 and 350 families with holiday shopping this year. Tuesday’s signup will take place from 3:30pm-5:30pm at the White County Board of Education Family Resource Center.

A second sign-up day for the free shopping event for in-need families is also available on Saturday from 10:30-11:30am. Photo ID, proof of income and or assistance, proof of residency, and a birth certificate or social security card must be provided.

Kinnard said the economy puts a lot of pressure on families during the holidays who feel they have to choose between presents and necessities.

“Last year when we had this event we had several families who reached out and said, ‘Thank you for making this a great Christmas for our kids,’” Kinnard said.

Kinnard said volunteers include both people hosting the hospitality room for parents and those who help with the shopping itself.

“It just really was a great event and the parents were very appreciative,” Kinnard said. “Some cried, a lot of us cried, it was just a beautiful event.”

Kinnard said donations are provided for by a multitude of different local churches and individuals throughout White County.