Mt. Pleasant Kiwanians work to ensure kids get the necessities this Christmas

BY BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

For local Mt. Pleasant Kiwanians, helping local children is what their group is all about. And thanks to the dedication of Kiwanians like Jason Goody, a number of local kids are going to get some much-needed presents for Christmas this year.

Every year, as part of the Mt. Pleasant Kiwanis Club Tree of Lights program, local club members raise money to give several local children a leg up, and this year will be no different. At the helm of the operation is long time member of the Mt. Pleasant Kiwanis club, Jason Goody, and he says giving back through the program has always been one of the highlights of his year.

?Every year, this program strives to raise money specifically to purchase clothes for kids in need within the local community,? Goody explains, who has been helping with the Tree of Lights committee for roughly 17 years. ?It?s really a great program and a way that we as a group strive to support children in our area.?

At one time, the Tree of Lights program was funded largely by community donations. For the last several years, however, the program has been almost completely funded by Kiwanis club members, and this year, the club is looking to do so again.

On average, the club provides 60 to 65 children in Henry County with gifts as part of the program. Children are allotted funds to shop, along with their parents and a local Kiwanian, for clothes and other necessities at local stores like Wal-Mart.

Every year, the club hopes to raise enough money to help more children than it did the year prior. Thus far, Goody says the club has been able to do that, but not without the generosity of members and other local donors.

?Every year, we hold a Christmas party at which we raise money for Tree of Lights. I think every year we have tried to raise more money than the year before, and have been able to do that,? said Goody.

In 2008, the group raised $4,100. By 2015, however, the Kiwanis club garnered roughly $7,780, and hopes to do even more this year.

To pinpoint children who would be eligible for the program, Goody coordinates with local organizations such as The Fellowship Cup and Tolson Community Action Center. Each child is given roughly $100 to spend.

As recognition for his efforts with the program, Goody himself received the Mt. Pleasant Kiwanis Workhorse of the Year Award in 2015, which recognizes one member of the local club for going above and beyond in their efforts within the various programs that the Mt. Pleasant Kiwanians sponsor. And although Goody admits that he was humbled to receive such an honor last year, he says being able to give back to local children and their families is at the heart of what the club is trying to do with the Tree of Lights program, and why he continues to be a part of it.

?It?s neat to see how so many people in Mt. Pleasant can come together and just help people,? he said. ?I truly believe God uses us all for different reasons, and this is something God uses our Kiwanis club for. Every year, we get families who are just tickled to receive this shopping trip in time for Christmas, and I just feel blessed to be a part of it.?

For more information on the Mt. Pleasant Kiwanis Club?s Tree of Lights program, contact Goody at 319-385-9494 or via email at jasonwds@lisco.com.