The evening was pretty quiet downtown, but it was not that way inside The Coffee Pot. All the tables and chairs were full of children and families – not a seat left in the room. The Gateway Youth staff was busy handing out paint and brushes and everyone was painting toys for the community!
These two organizations partnered to sponsor an amazing evening event this past Thursday that drew about 80 community children and family members. The event was planned to connect kids with a project that will benefit other children and to experience a true meaning of Christmas through volunteerism. Each child or family member took one or more wooden handcrafted car or truck that was donated by Robert Delk and then got very busy painting.
Creativity and colorful paint was everywhere and 77 cars were painted to be given to local children through the Gateway Youth Program, Grace Resurrection Community Center, EUM Church and a local women’s shelter.
Many of the volunteers commented about “how this was a great family event that went so smoothly and was so much fun” – “each child put forth time and dedication to paint the perfect gift for another child” – “events like this are what small town living is all about” and “we had a blast, just love nights like this with our kids”.
Kathy Kenworthy, youth advocate, the Gateway staff, and Amber Garrett, owner of The Coffee Pot want to thank each and every person that attended and volunteered their time. Also a special thanks to Robert Delk that donated the toys. The evening was so much fun.
If anyone wants more information about Gateway Youth Program, please contact Kelly Harrison, support specialist at 937-548-8002. The program works to expand and improve the possibilities for children and teens to open their doors of possibilities.
Gateway Youth is a program of Council on Rural Services... programs for innovative learning that supports youth in Darke and Shelby Counties. For more information check the Web site at www.councilonruralservices.org or call 937-778-5220.