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As if the expected challenges associated with raising $100K weren’t enough, there were additional ‘opprtunities’ that presented themselves during the 2022 Citizen Tribune Holiday Hope Fund.

Nevermind the rising cost of food, the logistics of getting hundreds of vehicles safely in and out of a parking lot located off a busy city street within a few hours, a general dip in donations and the temporary loss of a crucial staff member – why not throw the flu into the mix?

“Right at the end of November, the first of December, there was a circulation among staff, especially those who have kids, of a stomach bug, the flu or something viral,” Ashley Hux, Executive Director of Morristown-Hamblen Central Services, said.

This was a big deal. The agency’s staff, along with volunteers, perform all the crucial tasks associated with the HHF program.

By the week of packing during the second week of December, when the gift and food boxes were assembled, Hux said everyone for the most part was well.

“We are thankful for that,” she said. “It all worked out.”

The volunteers that join the staff in their efforts every year arrive from a variety of sources in the community: Sunday school classes, educational organizations, civic clubs, neighborhoods and families.

“Thank goodness that people know about the program,” Hux said. “It’s been around long enough and has a good reputation. And the Citizen Tribune helps get the word out. So, even with half of the main staff functioning, we were able to make it work.”

One staffer that was definitely missed during this year’s HHF activites was longtime Central Services Financial Officer Brenda Robbins, who was on leave due to health concerns. Robbins underwent a significant procedure and is currently in recovery.

“We were wanting to focus on the priority of health for her, so we disconnected her from the entire process,” Hux said.

That was probably not the choice that Robbins would have made for herself. She has utilized her bookkeeping and upper-tier organizational skills over the past decades to ensure that every monetary donation was accurately recorded and every Angel Tree card item was matched with its intended recipient. Thousands of transactions and gifts have come under the watchful eye of Robbins, who has developed a stellar reputation for being, well, ‘meticulous.’

Robbins is recovering well – “She is on the mend and excited about next year’s hope fund. She’s starting on the road back, but is still restricted on a number of levels. We’re working toward a modified return to work, with no definitive date,” Hux said.

Robbins’ absence created a learning opportunity for Hux.

“I got to do things that I don’t typically do. Looking back now, that probably needed to happen,” Hux said. “I did need to learn some of those pieces of the puzzle.”

Although donations were slow at first, the Angel Tree cards were fulfilled and the cost of the food items that were given away as part of HHF was at least partially offset.

“Everybody that signed up received a Christmas food box. Every child received at least three brand new toys. Some teenagers that don’t typically get taken care of were provided for. You have to stop and look at all the good stuff; that should always outweight the negative in this type of situation,” Hux said.

“I just want to thank the tons of people that bought toys and came and volunteered and gave money. It was just incredible,” Hux said.

The decrease in initial donations could be attributed to financial challenges across the board, according to Hux.

“We saw less of everything, and I think that speaks to the economy,” she said. “It’s been harder for a lot of the more middle class families, and they have always been our big supporters. They buy a lot of toys, give money. It’s hit a lot of people on a lot of different levels. It is not just the lower income people who are being affected.”

The monetary donations – including the anonymous donation that brought the 2022 fund to 100 percent of goal – were essential.

“I’m super thankful, because of the food costs – the meat for the food box this year was astronomical. It was scary,” Hux said. “The stressful part of it was that the estimated cost was back and forth, for really months. Our supplier couldn’t order turkey, it was not available at the normal time that we order it. Then, finally, we got a price on the turkeys. Then, the whole thing fell through. We switched to Cornish hens, then back to turkey and, finally, we landed on spiral hams.”

The hams turned out to be a blessing in disguise, with regard to their appreciation by HHF participants.

“They were lovely – I’ve had calls about how wonderful they were. The size of them, they fed the whole family. That’s what it’s all about,” Hux said.

The cost of the hams, however – “I never dreamed it was going to be the price it was,” Hux said. “I’m going to have to really look at things and rework some things, probably, next year: maybe figure out a different route. On the fundraising end – it’s scary to think of increasing the goal.

This year’s goal was surpassed – the $1,163 raised over and above the goal in recent days will be used to help offset the cost of the hams. The agency typically absorbs the food cost overages into its operational budget.

“If the community wants this program, they’re going to come out and support it. And they always have,” she said. “We appreciate all the volunteers who helped in whatever way they were able: saying a prayer that we succeed, giving a small cash donation or writing a large check – it all makes a difference and we appreciate all of it.”

That learning opportunity for Hux presented by Robbins’ absence meant that Hux didn’t get to spend as much time as usual at the agency’s dock doors accepting the Angel Tree donations.

“The most incredible toys come through. I wish I could be back there all the time, just to see them,” Hux said.

HHF toys included Hulk action figure, Baby Alive dolls and ‘real life’ puppies and kittens – “You can walk them and, yes, they ‘poop,’ Hux said.

Leggos are always a big hit, along with Barbie dolls and Barbie play sets and doctor and veterinarian play sets, according to Hux. One little girl asked for a beginner’s knitting kit.

“She is being raised by her grandmother, and she wanted to knit items for the family,” Hux said. “Craft stuff is a biggie. just because a kid may not be into ‘crafting’ all the time, it can entice their creative spirit. If a parent or guardian can’t think of anything, an age-appropriate craft set is usually a win, to get that child away from screen time and pulling out that creativity,” Hux said.

The end of one Holiday Hope Fund signals the beginning of another.

“We look forward to next year!” Hux said.

And next year starts now. Over the next few weeks, there will be time spent to debrief and reassess.

“It jumps from one thing to another. By June, the food planning will be ongoing in earnest,” Hux said. “And from then on, it’s ‘go time.’

Central Services will re-open on Jan. 10 and all the agency’s programs will resume.

“If people need assistance, they can give us a call,” Hux said.

As a final note, Hux shared a story that expresses the essence of the annual fundraising – the enduring hope exemplified by so many of the fund’s volunteers and donors.

While helping unload a car at the donation doors a few years ago, Hux met a woman who had lost her grandchild at the age of four or five.

“All year long, while she’s out doing her usual shopping, she’ll grab toys on clearance and deliver them to Central Services,” Hux said. “She brings them to us and says, ‘This is what I would have spend on my grandson.’ She is just the nicest lady. And is so happy to be doing it. That’s what she does. Every year. The money that she would have spent on him, she wants to make sure it’s still spent on a child.”

Holiday Hope Fund

Beginning Balance $95,698

Joseph and Susan Gratz $100

First Presbyterian Church

$3,050

Debra Trent $100

William Furguson $50

Allen and Janet Keller $300

Amy and Todd Hemminger-

In Honor of Cory, Will, Tara,

and Clint $400

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest

Gorman $100

Alan and Lila Faye

Morgan $100

Anne Horner-In loving Memory of Vicki Phelps, Eleanor Evans, and Margaret Matthews $25

Beverly Lockhart $90

Anonymous $100

Ashley and Jeramy Hux-In Honor of Jonah and Juniper $50

Karen and Victor Ayers-In Memory of Sawyer Ayers $100

Bethel United Methodist

Church $200

Ross and Barbara Baker $100

Martha Lane_In Memory of

Eddie Lane $100

Gateway Church $400

Norma Richardson-In Memory of Bill Richardson, Cathy Richardson, and Luke Miller $100

Goal: $100,000

Final Total: $101,163