nspencer@delphosherald.com

DELPHOS — The Delphos Community Christmas Project Director Edna Fischer was pleased with another successful year.
The project served 351 children and 145 families before and since Christmas.

“The fact the numbers are down is good for Delphos,” she said. “I just hope we didn’t miss anyone.”

The 2012 effort collected $44,000 in donations from local businesses, civic clubs, organizations and individuals to provide 109 food boxes; 111 pairs of shoes; 150 fruit plates for shut-ins and the elderly; $1,000 to St. Vincent dePaul for food; 110 food gift cards of $100 each; six box springs and mattresses, frames and bedding; a baby crib; a clothes washer and dryer; and participants will still receive gift cards to ALCO for $50-$100.
Items donated included 18 new bicycles; 19 used trees, decorations and lights; 142 pairs of shoes from the Phi Delta Sorority; and according to Fischer, the most toys ever received in the history of the project.

“Delphos always comes through for us and we meet the need every year,” Fischer said. “Everything is used. It all disappears.”
On distribution day, juniors and seniors from both local high schools deliver the fruit plates and gifts.
“

Everyone pitches in some work all year round,” Fischer said.

For example, Ken Grothaus collects used bicycles and refurbishes them; Brad and Kent Hohenbrink take in used Christmas trees and repair or refurbish them.

The 2012 project was run out of the old Vanamatic building.

“The building was perfect. We had space for everything and people could just drive in and unload or load up,” Fischer said. “It was wonderful.”
As always, Fischer is grateful for all the assistance she receives and all those who volunteer their time, money or items for the project to be successful.