The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1316377
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, December 9, 2020 C-7 items: 812-354-8500 egnews@pressdispatch.net Petersburg Crossroads Baptist Church helps more than 100 people fulfill Christmas wishes By Janice Barniak SG Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com Crossroads Baptist Church played Santa to the area's needy children Dec. 5, a tradi- tion of more than a decade that serves more children than the church has members. While parents typical- ly gather in a group in the church fellowship hall, this year, for distancing reasons, they stayed in the parking lot and were allowed to pass through in a smaller group. The church has gifts for children up to 14 years old, and each family gets a goody bag, and visits six gift sta- tions. In the "little toy" room are small presents, then other rooms offer warm clothing items, books, movies, puzzles, and finally the tour ends with the family receiving a big item in another room, which is an item worth more than $20, and stocking stuffers. The church saves items throughout the year from the community baby shower, buy- ing on clearance and even gen- tly used items from yard sales. Last year, the church served 71 families, representing 166 children. Organizer Jeanne Lee said the church, which only has 50 people, focuses on outreach. "We try really hard to be the hands and feet of Jesus," she said. If anyone wants to help the church in the future, she said to remember them by grab- bing an extra item from a clearance rack, and donating during closet clean-outs. "God has truly blessed all of our events," Lee said. With cash, they're able to take advantage of sales for fu- ture events, like diapers for the community baby shower, moved to Jan. 30, 2021. "With the economy and pandemic, we plan to serve more than last year," she said. At station two, Samantha Wolf searches for the perfect stuffed toys for her two girls. Michaela Fischer shops for her 10, seven, five and two year old in station five, which is dedicated to big gift items over $20. Grace Miller photos Above: Ti- na and Cara Hunt look at a pair of boots with volunteer Kim Ste- phens in Station One, which con- tains warm clothing items. Ste- phens said it was her first year helping out, though she donated her grand- children's old toys in the past. Left: At Station Six, the final sta- tion, Lo- ri Cruse helps Ma- ya William- son find the right stock- ing stuffers. Commissioners send COVID request on to council By Janice Barniak SG Star-Times Editor editor@sgstartimes.com Gibson County Commis- sioners approved Highway Dept. Supervisor Chuck Lewis to approach the coun- cil with a request for a large screen or projector to do on- line training during the pan- demic. "Due to COVID, when we had online training, because of social distancing, I could only have four guys in the office to view the seminar," Lewis said. There is an upstairs meet- ing room that is larger, but it will need a projector or large screen television to do train- ing—Lewis believes the ex- pense would be able to be re- imbursed through COVID-19 funds.