Social - December 2002

Volunteers provide food and toys for hundreds

Santa’s helpers

By DIANE TURBYFILL, LTN Staff Writer

December 20, 2002 - Santa’s little helpers are alive and well at Christian Ministry of Lincoln County.

Two of them act as volunteers each year to co-chair the ministry’s Christmas Fund, a drive to collect money, food and toys.

Ralph Zello, 66, is a husband, father, and retired director of transportation for Carolina Freight Carriers.

Kathy Rhyne, 42, is a wife, mother, and part-time employee at her church, First Baptist.

The two volunteers team up each fall to bring toys and food to needy families at Christmas.

Spending an average of 15 to 25 hours a week during the months of November and December, they head up a team of volunteers.

Packing food boxes, wrapping toys, making contacts and deliveries, Zello and Rhyne will essentially provide Christmas for hundreds each year.

“It’s just a big part of Christmas, to provide toys for children,” Rhyne said Tuesday while sorting through a sea of toys.

Rhyne first began volunteering with Christian Ministry about 13 years ago. She has headed up the annual toy distribution for eight years.

“I just enjoy it,” she says.

Through direct donations, angel trees and smart shopping, the ministry will provide toys for approximately 900 children this year.

“Businesses, churches and individuals — they’re the ones providing Christmas for these kids,” Rhyne said. “We’re just doing the hands-on work.”

Susan Brymer, director of Christian Ministry, says the toy program is a continual effort.

“We’re kind of in the toy business all year long.”

Many of the toys are purchased right after Christmas while they’re on sale. Money from donations is used for the shopping sprees.

This year’s goal is $25,000. The ministry is still $6,000 short of their goal.

“We hope with donations over the next few days that money will come through,” Brymer said.

The money is also used to buy food to be distributed for Christmas dinners.

Ralph Zello has been working with Christian Ministry for about nine years, after serving several years on the Board of Directors.

“It was jut one of the places I started coming and helping,” he said.

Zello uses his organizational skills to head up a group of volunteers, purchasing food, accepting donations, filling and delivering boxes. He takes a direct approach to the work.

“It needs to be done, and I have the time, so I do it,” he says.

His hard work filled the food dock this year. Boxes of food went out to hundreds of needy families this morning, providing ham dinners with all the fixings.

“It is somewhat rewarding to see these people — how appreciative they are to have food and toys.”

Since retirement, Zello volunteers with the Habitat Store, Maryvale and St. Dorothy’s Catholic Church.

He and Rhyne agree that they are only part of a team that makes the Christmas drive a success.

“They’re wonderful,” Rhyne said. “It takes hundreds of volunteers to pull this off.”

—————

Donations to the Christmas Fund will be accepted before and after the holiday. For more information call Christian Ministry of Lincoln County at 704-732-0383.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

Terms and Conditions