More than 80 families benefit from Goodfellows/Black Lake Sportsmen’s Club giveaway

It’s the season of giving and nowhere was it more apparent in the community of Onaway than at St. Paul Hall. The spirit of Christmas was felt within the walls of that building with the Goodfellows and Black Lake Sportsmen’s Club leading a dedicated group of volunteers who gave away food, Christmas presents, and clothing.

Terry Materna, who was coordinating the food giveaway, remembered one man standing in front of him with tears in his eyes when Materna handed him a gift certificate for a meat purchase at one of the local grocery stores. Materna was overcome by his emotions as well. “That’s what Christmas is all about,” he said. “When you see that, you know it’s all worth it.”

MORE THAN 80 families with 168 children were registered for the giveaway, which included boxes of groceries, a gift certificate for meat, a $30 wrapped present for each child, and free clothes. Materna said there were more donations than ever before. Along with donations from individuals and businesses, the Goodfellows received $820 to pay for the meat certificates. “The community is excellent,” said Materna. “They just opened up their hearts to give all of their best. The project went very well. People seemed more generous this year.” The economy may be down, but people realized there are others in need at this time of year. “It’s a negative going against a positive, that’s the only thing I can think of,” said Materna. “Everything is down and when things are down, people are up on their donations.”

ABOUT 46 VOLUNTEERS were on hand Saturday to make it all come together. They included young men from the Russell House, Boy Scouts Troop 86, and members of the OHS Key Club. The Boy Scouts assisted people by carrying the Christmas presents for families, and in some cases to vehicles in an ice-covered parking lot, while the volunteers from Russell House helped carry the food boxes. Many of the people involved wrapped gifts in the days leading up to the event.

Nelda Woo

den, who organized the clothing giveaway, said “it puts me in the Christmas spirit.” Wooden was able to receive some quality items from the Gold Mine resale shop in Petoskey and was promised nicer items, which were to be set aside. Also on the tables were knitted hats. Wooden noted this would be the last year Phyllis Crist’s hats would be part of the giveaway, because she passed away earlier this year. “It’s been an amazing community effort,” said Leora Dean, who organized the gifts on behalf of the Sportsmen’s Club. “To me, that’s what Christmas is.”

The Onaway Friends of the Library also had a table for families to choose whatever books they wanted. “The gift of giving, that’s what it is all about,” said Materna, “and remembering the Lord is our savior and he’s the one that heads the whole thing.” The giveaway has been conducted the last 20 years.

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