Generosity helps kids overcome hard times

The past year was rough on Americans, including families in northern Wisconsin. It was also a year of incredible generosity.

Surprisingly and fortunately, many organizations, businesses and individuals donated food, gifts and money to help the Kids in Nebagamon organization make Christmas merry for 94 children in the Northwestern School District.

Each year, Kids in Nebagamon provides gifts for children whose families are experiencing crisis. This often includes families hit by illness or a tragic event, including the death of a parent, a house fire and unemployment to name just a few. Recommendations for the children to be helped usually come from school officials, churches and some social service agencies.

“We were surprised by the greater need this year, but the support from the community was very gratifying. Supermarkets from Superior, Poplar, Lake Nebagamon and Iron River helped with food donations. Organizations and churches, as well as individuals, came forward with donations of food, money and gifts for families in their areas,” said Carol Mallegni, the organization’s president. A number of volunteers shopped for the gifts and many of them donated the costs of the items they bought, she said.

The Christmas project began nearly 20 years ago when one hard hit family with eight children was recommended for help by a local church. It has grown each year but this year surpassed all others with almost 100 children in need.

Tags: community, business, money, family, education, health, youth