Christmas projects brighten lives of Siouxland families

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
December 22, 2005

While Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Sioux City serves people in need throughout the entire year, some of the agency's projects happen specifically at Christmastime.

According to Kay Lyons, intake finance worker at Catholic Charities and coordinator of the Christmas assistance projects, for several years, parishes and schools have adopted families through Catholic Charities.

Some of the parishes and schools that adopted families include Blessed Sacrament, Sacred Heart, St. Michael's Religious Education Program, Heelan High School, all in Sioux City; and Remsen St. Mary's. Along with Catholic entities, Protestant churches such as Morningside Lutheran Church help in the effort as well as other organizations such as various departments of the Sioux City Police Department and even restaurants like Long John Silvers participate.

"We have people come in the door and want to adopt families," noted Lyons.

About half of the families that are adopted through this Christmas project are clients of Catholic Charities. Lyons pointed out that she has them fill out a form that lists all of the family members - ages, sizes and a few items they wish to receive.

It's not uncommon for adopted families to receive food for a meal, toys for the children and household items or gift cards for the adults.

"All of the gifts come back here where they are tagged and numbered," she explained. "Then the families come here to pick them up. However, the Heelan children deliver theirs."

Lyons also submitted another 95 families in to receive Elk's baskets, for gifts to be delivered to them.

Catholic Charities was one of the agencies in Sioux City to receive beds from Slumberland through its Beds for Tots program.

"Slumberland initially started this project geared for kids - they wanted to get the children off of the floor," said Lyons. "The focus has changed somewhat with the few Katrina victims we have here. I have two Katrina victims on my list."

Catholic Charities in Sioux City received 13 beds - eight twins and five fulls - including mattress, box spring and frame.

"When people sign up for Christmas, I also have them tell me if they need a bed," she said. "The purpose is not to replace a bed that is no good, but it is to get a child off of the floor or provide another bed if children are sleeping together."

While Slumberland provides the beds, Lyons pointed out that Claeys Brothers Moving and Storage Co. have volunteered the last several years to deliver the beds to Catholic Charities. From there, the clients pick them up.

Wade Schoenrock, son-in-law with the Claeys Brothers, has donated his time to this project for the last five years.

"It is fun to donate your time and effort to do this," he said. "I like seeing the expression on people's face when they get the new bed."

The beds, noted Lyons, are very much appreciated as beds - even good used ones - are very hard to come by. New ones, she added, "are an exceptional treat."

The Carroll office of Catholic Charities also received beds from Slumberland located in that town.

Lyons stressed the fact that people are also very appreciative of the presents they receive through the adopt a family project. She expressed gratitude to the churches, schools and other organizations for their generosity.

"They should be here to get the hugs that I get," said Lyons.