Voluntary Action Center begins Christmas prep

Columbia residents donate gifts and food to families.

By Pierce Courchaine

Published Oct. 16, 2009

Christmas preparation is coming early for low-income Boone County residents. From Oct. 10 to Oct. 22, the Columbia Voluntary Action Center is signing up low-income families to receive Christmas presents and food from sponsors who "adopt" them.

Sponsors began signing up for the VAC Christmas Program on Oct. 1.

"We usually get most of our donations in November and December, but we have already started receiving donations," project Director Marissa Todd said.

VAC Executive Director Cindy Mustard said she is expecting the VAC to help 4,000 people in 2009.

"Besides the 800 (families) we sign up here, another 300 will come through other agencies," Mustard said.

People waited in line outside the VAC for hours, some since 1 a.m., hoping to be one of the 80 people to receive sponsorship when the doors opened at 8:30 a.m.

Hopeful client Deborah Parker said she wanted winter clothes.

"When I came here 20 years ago, you could get anything you want," Parker said. "But a lot of people changed that."

Parker said she was grateful for whatever she could receive, but the VAC was giving out less than in years past. She also spoke of fights and arguments, which broke out in the line last year.

"It's a lot more organized this year," she said.

There was one officer patrolling the crowd Thursday morning.

After waiting in line outside, clients were taken inside the VAC to talk with the organization's employees and volunteers.

Employees screened the families first. In order to receive sponsorship, people must provide proof of residency in Boone County, proper identification for everyone in the house and a social security card.

In addition, clients must have an income below a certain amount per month, depending on the size of the family. For example, a family of four must make less than $2,756 a month.

Volunteers then helped the clients fill out their Christmas lists.

"Basically they play Santa Claus," Mustard said. "They meet with each family. They get their clothing sizes and gift ideas and put it all on a sheet."

Mustard said only the client's children may receive gifts and adults may receive household items. The VAC usually limits donations to $50 and guarantees at least one new gift per person in the household.

"They get to do the fun part," Todd said of making the lists of needs.

Despite the economic recession, she said sponsorship levels have not gone down.

"I don't think we are seeing a drop-off in the donations," Todd said. "We have seen an increase in the new clients coming. That's probably due to the economy. Last night was reserved for full-time working parents, so they had to work at least 30 hours a week and a lot of the people we saw have never come to the program before."

After Oct. 22, clients will be matched with sponsors. The gifts will be distributed during a variety of dates in December at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Rollins Street.

The VAC Christmas Program has been operating for more than 25 years and helped 1,200 families in 2008.

Mustard said anyone could sponsor a family.

"Last year, every department in athletics adopted a family, including the Golden Girls and football team," Mustard said.

The VAC encourages Columbia residents to get involved in the project.

"If more people chip in the community, we would all be better off." Parker said.