Although 2020 has been challenging with the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment, stay-at-home learning and more, organizers planning the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund Christmas effort this year are staying optimistic.
In its 90th year, the Cheer Fund had to cancel fundraisers such as the Green Egg Fest, participation in the Festival of Lights Parade, the TerrorZ Roller Derby Challenge and others.
But on the positive side, the Cheer Fund was able to move into its new permanent home at 2674 Verhulst St., where organizers are planning this year’s effort to provide a happy Christmas for hundreds of less fortunate kids in the community.
On the first day of signup to receive Cheer Fund help, about 80 more families asked for Cheer Fund assistance on Oct. 16 than the same day last year, Cheer Fund co-chairman Ben Noblitt said.
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For the next two weeks, requests for assistance remained noticeably higher than the same time in 2019, Volunteer Action Center Director Alicia Monroe said. Her organization manages the Holiday Hotline, which determines what each child in a family needs and what holiday charity can best provide that need. Monroe also has a database that assures nobody abuses the goodwill of donors by seeking assistance from multiple nonprofits.
Although the number of applications dropped in the third week, Monroe said the number of applications for assistance is expected to rise back up as Thanksgiving gets closer. Many families are struggling just to pay essential bills this year — and Christmas presents don’t fit in that category, she said.
"I think we’re good"
None of this seems to discourage Noblitt nor his other two Cheer Fund co-chairmen, Justin Sims and Cory Hampton.
"I don’t think we’re going to have any big obstacles this year," Noblitt said. "I think we’re good."
One reason is that the charity has remained thrifty in its spending in order to handle rough years like this one, Sims said. And with almost a century of experience passed down from one generation to another, Noblitt says firefighters always know where the best toy bargains can be found.
"Will our numbers (of applicants) go up by 180 more per week? Nobody knows," Sims said. "But no kid will be forced to go without Christmas — even if we have to use everything we’ve got to make it happen."
After spreading holiday cheer to kids in financially struggling families since 1930, the Cheer Fund has become one of the most beloved charities in the Columbus area.
Evidence of that affection isn’t hard to find. On Nov. 5, two semi trailers were unloaded into the organization’s new building, but most of the work was handled by volunteers from Toyota Material Handling North America. The volunteers were exceptionally skilled at handling the forklift, since it had also been donated to the Cheer Fund by Toyota.
After the volunteers sorted out the toys from storage, they placed them on sturdy, mobile shelving built and paid for by crews from another automotive manufacturer, Faurecia.
While used toys are not being accepted this year due to the health risk, the Cheer Fund has created wish lists on websites for Target, Walmart, and Amazon. Those who wish to donate may go online to purchase toys and they will be shipped directly to the Cheer Fund.
"You can just stay at home, and not worry about masks, COVID, bad weather, heavy traffic or crowded checkout lanes," Noblitt said.
While there was no Roller Derby Challenge this year, the skaters still held a toy drive at Walmart that garnered $1,600 worth of toys. And thanks to other generous businesses, including Kroger Marketplace, Noblitt said other toy drives recently brought in $3,600 worth of gifts.
Jason Major, a manager with Cummins Inc., has been able to obtain a grant for the Cheer Fund to buy toys this year, Noblitt said. Last year, Major teamed up with a bicycling club called Friendship Wheels to purchase $500 worth of bikes.
Two Cheer Fund events were held the evening of Nov. 6: A drive-thru Fireman’s Chili Cook-off that only asked for goodwill offerings made $4,800 while the annual WKKG "Kamp-out for Kids" event raised $6,300.
Last, but not least, are the other holiday charities like Toys For Tots, Shop With A Cop, the Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center Angels of Love and the Salvation Army Angel Tree. All of these charities have helped take some pressure off the Cheer Fund this year, Sims said. In the past, the Cheer Fund has teamed up with the other charities to fill in gaps on a child’s wish list, Noblitt said.
Volunteer opportunities
The top questions currently being asked of Cheer Fund personnel is whether they will accept volunteers to either pack gift boxes or deliver them to recipient homes.
For the most part, the packing is being handled by the firefighters this year.
"We don’t want anyone getting sick," Noblitt said.
"That’s one of our biggest disappointments," Sims said. "We can’t have public boxing nights this year."
But volunteers are still encouraged to show up the morning of Saturday, Dec. 12 to deliver gifts.
"We depend on our volunteer delivery drivers," Noblitt said. "Last year, it only took 90 minutes to deliver gift boxes to 1,100 kids. If only firefighters were allowed to deliver, it would take us the entire weekend."
On that day, there will be plenty of signs along Middle Road and Verhulst Drive to direct volunteer delivery drivers to the new Cheer Fund headquarters, he said.
But those who deliver will be under certain restrictions that include mandatory wearing of masks and gloves, Noblitt said.
Other precautions being considered include setting the box down outside, having the parent or guardian sign for the gifts outside, and having deliverers step back as the family takes the box indoors, Noblitt said.
"But nothing is finalized yet," Sims said. "We’re still working on all the angles."
However, one thing is for certain: Without used toys, more shopping trips are in the near future for the firefighters.
It’s quite a job. When Cheer Fund representatives went shopping during the first weekend of November, they purchased 1,120 toys.
"That’s a lot, but when you do the math, it only provides gifts to about 110 children," Noblitt said with a sigh. "We’ll probably have to go shopping at least three or four more times."
"Oh, we’ll do fine," Sims said with a reassuring smile. "This community is pretty awesome when it comes to giving."
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Known as the oldest charity in Bartholomew County that depends solely on public donations, the Firemen’s Cheer Fund was founded by the Columbus Fire Department in 1930.
The charity lapsed from 1945 to 1947 when city firemen felt their efforts were duplicating that of other community-minded groups concerned about the poor. However, firemen re-instituted the fund in 1948 and added a new twist — delivering the gifts.
Today, the Cheer Fund is coordinated through the efforts of Columbus firefighters, with the assistance from a 14-member volunteer board of directors.
While three co-chairmen are normally asked to serve three-year terms, the board of directors has approved a motion that Ben Noblitt, Cory Hampton, and Justin Sims serve a fourth consecutive year as the organization’s top administrators.
Financial contributions will continue to be accepted at any Columbus firehouse from now through the end of the year.
The deadline to register for assistance through the Holiday Hotline is Friday, Dec. 4. The hotline number is 812-375-2216.
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Want to donate a toy to the Cheer Fund’s efforts?
While used toys are not being accepted this year due to the health risk, the Cheer Fund has created wish lists on websites for Target, Walmart, and Amazon. Those who wish to donate may go online to purchase toys and they will be shipped directly to the Cheer Fund. For links, go to the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund Facebook page.
Monetary donations may also be mailed to Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund, 1101 Jackson St., Columbus IN 47201.
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