Hello from your friends at Share the Spirit. We hope you are happy that the holidays are approaching as we are and are looking forward to helping Share the Spirit spread joy throughout our community.
In anticipation of the holiday season and our upcoming task, here are a few answers to the questions that we hope are popping into your mind:
Q: What is Share the Spirit and what do they have to do with the holidays?
A: We provide food baskets for households in need as well as gifts for children 17 or under.
Q: How do you do that?
A: We are a community-based organization with no dues and no income stream other than funds we earn at our annual spaghetti feed or funds received from generous donors.
Q: When is the spaghetti feed and how can I help?
A: This year the feed will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at the local Elks Lodge from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. We will need many helpers to prepare for and serve at this event. If you can provide even a few hours on the 11th, 12th or 13th, please call our information line at 907-235-7466, leave your contact info and we will call you back to answer your questions and get you on the volunteer schedule.
Q: How can I simply make a donation to the program?
A: Monetary donations may be mailed to PO Box 3218, Homer, AK, 99603, or may be dropped off at the Homer branch of Wells Fargo. If you want to purchase and donate a gift for someone in need, the Share the Spirit gift trees will start showing up over Thanksgiving weekend (Shop Local Weekend) in Homer and will be located at Kachemak Gear Shed, The Homer Book Store, Ulmer’s Drug and Hardware, Captain’s Toy Chest, and Homer’s Jeans. Each ornament on the gift trees has instructions on how you can help make the holidays a little brighter for your neighbors.
Q: What else can I participate in?
A: We are glad you asked! The “Adopt-A-Family” program is a wonderful way for you to provide both food and gifts to an entire household anonymously. We provide you with helpful hints on what food to provide and information on gifts that may be needed. This part of the program is usually a bigger budget item, so we suggest you talk to your co-workers, club members, family and friends to see who wants to get involved as an adopter this year. If you are dropping off an Adopt-A-Family basket you may come deliver it to the Homer High School either Wednesday, Dec. 20 before 5 p.m. or Thursday, Dec. 21 before noon. We would also love to see all your lovely faces in the HHS commons for basket packing on Wednesday, Dec. 20!
Q: How do you apply if you are in need?
A: Applications are available through many of our wonderful local human service agencies and churches where you have an established relationship. For more details call 907-235-7466.
Q: When are these baskets available?
A: If you apply for a basket watch your mail. You will receive a notice explaining the time and date for you to come to the high school to pick up your basket. Please note that we do not deliver baskets, and you or an authorized person will need to come collect your basket.
We hope this was informative and we will try to keep you updated as more information becomes available via the information line. Again, that number is 907-235-7466.
And as always, we ask that you please remember to … Share the Spirit.
Jayne Locklar is president of Share the Spirit. Jonathan Adams is Share the Spirit vice president. Kelly Glidden and Emmy Olsen-Drye are Basket Program co-chairs. Shari Daugherty is Basket Program advisor.
