It all started with an idea to help. That’s when the City of Moline Acres stepped up to the plate.
Moline Acres Mayor Michele DeShay, the Board of Aldermen, and Police Officer Herbert Donaldson wanted to find a way to bring holiday joy to the community.
After brainstorming for a bit, they decided to adopt 25 families in the Riverview Gardens School District for Thanksgiving. The counselors and social workers in Riverview Gardens School District helped to identify and recommend families in need.
With the support of community partners such as Infinite Scholars, the City of Moline Acres, Cochran Engineering and Divine Daughters, Moline Acres provided gift baskets containing everything needed for a Thanksgiving dinner, as well as gift cards, to provide additional support.
“The first giveaway took all day,” DeShay said. “We drove throughout the area with a group of volunteers, handed out baskets and talked to the families.”
“We wanted to bring them a little happiness and hope for the holidays,” she added.
After a successful Thanksgiving giveaway, they doubled down and decided to offer support during the Christmas season. The city’s existing Cookies with Santa program was restructured to better serve the community. Infinite Scholars provided wrapped, age-appropriate toys to children. The toys were then distributed to the children by Santa’s Elves. Kids and families attended the event and had the opportunity to take photos with a Santa who mirrored the community.
Over the years, the holiday initiative has seen increased support. North County Fire & Rescue, Metro North Fire District, the parents of Infinite Scholars and students have joined forces to help expand the impact of the giveaways by helping to deliver the baskets.
“The giveaways always help us to be thankful for what we have,” DeShay stated. “People are very appreciative of the love and support we provide during the holiday season, and as a result, the support from our partners has grown.”
What started out as a modest 25-family Thanksgiving basket giveaway has now ballooned to support more than 200 families each year. The families do not reside solely in Moline Acres. DeShay and Donaldson wanted to ensure that families across the district could benefit.
While some area food banks and food pantries are cutting back due to federal funding cuts, the City of Moline Acres is still pushing forward with its Thanksgiving and Christmas giveaway plans this year. That means in a few weeks, more than 200 families in the Riverview Gardens School District will receive baskets full of turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce and other Thanksgiving goodness. And yes, Santa Claus will be coming to town in December to bring holiday cheer to RGSD scholars!
If you would like to support or volunteer at the Moline Acres holiday giveaways, contact Mayor Michele DeShay at (314) 265-1736.