Having enough to go around, whether in material for making clothes, or groceries for making dinner, seems to be more of a challenge these days.  Depending on when you turn on your television the predictions about the economy both on the national and the personal levels are either black, or blacker.  Locally, we have seen a number of fundraising efforts fall short of their goals because there doesn’t seem to be quite enough to go all the way around.  Today I would like to report on one effort that bucks this trend:  a community supported project that will spread a little Easter cheer to more than 2,500 persons in custodial care situations around the County.

 For more than half a century, Mental Health America of Licking County, has reached out to individuals in nursing homes, shelters, mental health facilities and detention centers to let them know that they are not forgotten.  A list is developed and then the community is invited to contribute whole Easter baskets, candy and other supplies, or they can make a financial contribution.  And for the last 54 years we have been impressed by generosity of this community.

 When we first see the number of basket requests we always get a little nervous wondering whether we will be able to answer all of them.  Will there be enough donated baskets?  Will there be enough donated candy?  And each year, the community has answered the call and made this project a success.

 Thanks to the financial and material contributions of individuals, church groups, Girl Scout and Brownie Troops, companies like Harry & David Operations and the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class, we were not only able to produce the required number of baskets, but get them delivered as well.

 We sincerely appreciate all who supported this project and who have enabled us to continue this community tradition for another year.

Happy Spring!