On December 20, 2018, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians staff and family members volunteered for the Salvation Army at its annual Christmas Cheer event that serves nearly 6,000 families in Central Ohio. Volunteers helped assemble boxes, decorated the center, sorted food and toys, filled food boxes, checked in families, distributed food and toys, and assisted families to their cars.
The event was held at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in the Lausche Building and each year the Salvation Army relies heavily on the support of hundreds of volunteers. It was a great opportunity for the OAFP staff to give back during the most giving time of year. Not only did the OAFP staff meet its 70 hours community service goal, but it was exceeded by 18 hours; ending with 88 hours total for the year.
The day started at 8:30 a.m. and doors opened to the public at 9 a.m. The OAFP staff was quickly trained along with several other volunteers. The process started with a shopper (also known as a volunteer) who would greet the family and take their shopping list which included the names of the children, their ages, and genders. The shoppers would carry the bags for the family along with helping them in their toy selections. It was a great opportunity to talk about the holidays, travels, and what this event meant for both the volunteers and families.
“There were lots of hugs, smiles, and tears as parents and grandparents selected gifts for their kids,” said Ann Spicer, executive vice president of the OAFP. “I loved it when a couple of parents shared photos of their kids with me. One parent even showed me his first graders artwork.”
Gifts were sorted by age group from 0 months up to the age of 14-years-old. Toy donations included board games, baby dolls, sports equipment, coloring books, bikes, action figures, race cars, building blocks, science experiments, and much more.
There was a wide variety of toy selections, and families were so grateful for the opportunity to select different options based on their kids’ preferences along with receiving wrapping paper and extra blessing bags, which included more toys.
“Volunteering at this event has always been a favorite tradition with my OAFP family,” said Kaitlin McGuffie, director of events and foundation programs. “It’s great to give back to the community and share the holiday spirit at the same time. I left the experience feeling as though we truly made a small difference and brought a little cheer to Columbus families.”
After the event, a friend of a staff member reached out saying, “…My grandma raised me. This was the way we got Christmas every year. Thanks to people like you and the Salvation Army.”
It is through small acts of kindness that we can all make a difference. Throughout 2018, the OAFP staff celebrated its 70-year anniversary by giving back to its community and we hope OAFP members were able to do the same. We received some incredible stories from members highlighting their experiences with volunteering which have been shared in both the Weekly Family Medicine Update as well as the quarterly magazine, The Ohio Family Physician.
This year, the OAFP staff has volunteered for LifeCare Alliance, the Clintonville Resource Center, the Salvation Army in Central Ohio, and the Worthington Resource Pantry
“To be honest, I believe volunteering gives more to the giver than the recipient of the gift,” said Morgan Pelt, communications manager of the OAFP. “Every time I lend a helping hand, I feel more intimately involved in my community and the hardships we may not even recognize that our neighbors or friends face.”
We hope everyone enjoyed the holidays as well as the “Cheers to 70 Years” campaign. The OAFP staff was excited to celebrate it with each and every one of you!