BLAIR, NEBRASKA (2024 November 18, Monday)
Don Harrold, Writer / Editor
blairtoday@mail.com – Facebook
The Blair Optimist Club needs more sponsors for their annual Christmas Adopt a Family Program, which matches local families with community members and businesses who can help make their holidays brighter.
Tarin Jennings, program coordinator and former Blair High School English teacher, sees firsthand the scope of local needs. “There are quite a few families in Blair who are struggling, and a lot of them have very simple requests for the holidays, like clothing, personal hygiene items, or simple toys for their kids,” she explains.
The program’s impact becomes clear through families’ responses. “We have families who often share stories of hardship when applying for the program. Once they’re adopted, they are truly grateful. There are families who check back on the status of being adopted, and you can tell there is often great relief and appreciation when someone is willing to make the holidays a little brighter for them. It’s nice to have our faith in humanity restored,” Jennings shares.
While many organizations have already stepped forward to help, more sponsors are needed. “We want to help as many families as we can, but sometimes it’s challenging to find enough groups/people to adopt families,” Jennings says. This year’s sponsors already include Reclaimed Chiropractic, Corbion, Mrs. Fowler and Mrs. Maly’s classes, First United Methodist Church, Family Dental Center, Eriksen Construction, WCB, Edward Jones with Craig Heuton, Blair Chiropractic, Harsin Built Construction, and the Blair Ladies’ Firefighters Auxiliary.
Privacy remains a priority in the program. “We protect the personal information and names of the families who ask for assistance. However, there are some families who have been matched with the same sponsor over the years,” explains Jennings.
The holiday program is just one way the Optimist Club serves local youth. “The needs of kids in Washington County persist year round. The Optimist Club also has a buddy box program in which we ask for community donations throughout the school year and those donations benefit students in Blair Community Schools,” Jennings notes. “Anyone interested can drop off donations in the big, purple boxes at the library or chamber.”
Current buddy box needs include kids’ gender neutral sweatpants (especially small sizes), hair ties, kids’ socks, chapstick, trapper keepers, waterproof kids’ gloves, boys’ underwear (especially small sizes), feminine hygiene products, deodorant, and water bottles.
Those interested in adopting a family this holiday season can contact Tarin Jennings at 712-281-0885 or tarin@jenningsplantservices.net. For more information about the Christmas program or other free events for Washington County youth, visit the “Blair Optimist International Club” Facebook page.
