Kinship offers thanks

To the Editor:

The holidays are a crazy time. Nearly everyone is planning events, gatherings and fantastic meals, and thoughtfully planning gifts for family, friends and others. Even with all of that going on, it was clear that the inhabitants of Martin County were not just inwardly focused. The season of giving was alive and well here this November and December — something Kinship of Martin County was acutely aware of this past year.

Kinship was humbled by the generosity all around us. It seemed like every couple of days, someone was contacting us about helping with something, whether a random donation or helping with gifts or other necessities for our families.

We had several different companies and organizations donate to us over the course of just a couple of months. Kahler Automation employees did a fundraising drive that enabled both Kinship and Fairmont High School to purchase gifts for several of their families. An employee from Jake’s Pizza contacted us and informed us that their employees were giving us a donation in honor of their owners. Grace Lutheran offered us spots on their Star Tree for families that needed help purchasing Christmas gifts.

The Elf Shop at the elementary school allowed us to come and look through what remained of their donations to see if we could use anything for our Kinship house or families.

The Borderline Cruisers contacted us and presented us with a donation. Delta Sigma Phi, St. Peter Lutheran Church and the Sherburn Community Chest all sent donations. The Rotary Club gave us a gift after we spoke to their group.

Several individuals contacted us to offer help and funds, some in honor of birthdays, some to provide hygiene supplies and winter clothing for our families.

We were even contacted by an employee at Hawkins Chevrolet who did a winter campout (with a looming snowstorm) to raise funds and awareness for Kinship.

All of this was in addition to our regular donors, several individual donations, and on top of the donations we have been receiving for our fall mailer.

It is with some hesitation that I write this, not wanting to leave anyone out but at the same time wanting to recognize that there is so much generosity all around us. We are so incredibly thankful for everyone who has supported Kinship over the course of the past year. We depend on donations to keep our program running, and we are so thankful to have such a wonderful relationship with the community we serve.

Jen Kahler,

associate director

Kinship of Martin County

Fairmont