Photo provided Friends and family of Columbus firefighters work to pack boxes this week that will be delivered Saturday from the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund.
The number of children of families seeking holiday assistance from the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund is up significantly from this same time last year.
Community Action Center Executive Director Alicia Monroe’s agency handles the Holiday Hotline that screens requests, matches each child with the appropriate holiday charity, and maintains a data base to ensure no child is served by more than one charity.
While Monroe was unable to provide an exact number, Cheer Fund co-chairman Ben Noblitt said he’s been told there are between 200 to 300 more applicants so far this year, compared to the first week of November last year.
Requests for holiday assistance are up for all agencies that utilize the Holiday Hotline, Monroe said. That also includes Toys For Tots, Shop With a Cop, the Community Center of Hope and St. Bartholomew’s Giving Tree.
“But the numbers are especially high for the Cheer Fund,” the center director said. “I don’t know why this is happening.”
Now in its 94th year, the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund is known as the oldest charity in Bartholomew County that depends solely on public donations to help children and teens in need at Christmas. In its first weekend of seeking donations after Halloween, the Cheer Fund brought in close to $8,000.
Goodwill offerings received during the annual Fireman’s Chili cook-off at Fire Station 1 totaled about $3,000, Noblitt said. The most popular recipe was submitted by Columbus Firefighter Brandon Farr.
At the same location, White River Broadcasting’s annual Kampout for Kids raised $4,400 during the two-day event, WKKG 101.5 FM morning host Mike Shannon said. Last year, the Kampout garnered nearly $2,750 in cash, as well as about 600 toys, according to White River’s general manager Bob Morrison.
Every year, there are a number of smaller fundraisers that may not receive as much attention as the larger events, but are equally appreciated by the Cheer Fund, Noblitt said. For example, there was the Women of Moose Lodge 398 who hosted a toy drive, as well as raised $150 for the holiday charity.
“We get pop-up events a lot,” the co-chairman said. “Somebody will call and ask if a representative can come and meet their group. When we make an appearance, they will give us whatever donations they were able to collect. There has already been 10 to 15 of those events already this year.”
Supporters of the historic charity are encouraged to periodically check out the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund’s new website or Facebook page to learn about new and upcoming events.
Those who are planning toy drives are reminded that only new toys are accepted. The former practice of including gently-used toys was dropped as a result of the 2020 pandemic – and never reinstated due to health concerns, Noblitt said.
Companies have been significant contributors over the past several years, with some conducting their own in-house fundraiser and/or toy drive.
Noblitt mentioned Toyota Industries North America, Inc., which informed the charity they are doing their own chili cook-off to feed office employees. The company has asked that Cheer Fund representatives be on hand to determine the best recipe, he said.
The new website at columbusfiremenscheerfund.org is described by the charity on social media as“sleeker, user-friendly, and packed with all the information you may need about the charity’s mission, as well as how you can get involved with the organization.”
For those who prefer traditional donations, contribution of checks and cash, as well as new toys, can be dropped off at any city fire station. But the convenience of online toy donations is becoming increasingly popular. On the new web page, click on ‘DONATE’ to find links to the Cheer Fund’s Amazon or Target wish lists that match the charity’s needs.
Over the past three years, post-pandemic health concerns have limited the number of groups and individuals allowed in to help box toys. However, two public boxing days have already been held. The final two will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13 and Monday, Nov. 25. There is a volunteer sign-up page on the new website.
The Cheer Fund building is located at 2674 Verhulst St., directly north of the Evolution Training Center.
