Miami Holiday Project brings joy to Butler and Preble County children

BY RACHEL BRADY
Miami University journalism student

Miami University kicks off the 21st annual Miami Holiday Project bright and early Saturday.

This annual local service project brings together Miami University students and the Oxford community to shop for children in the foster care system in Butler and Preble Counties who might not otherwise get gifts for the holidays.

Administrative Assistant Nancy Coon started the project in 1995 because of her history with the foster care system. Coon grew up as an orphan and knew what it was like not to have toys and gifts during the holidays. It was important to her to create a local community service project where support staff could help kids in foster care.

“Our goal is to give them hope for their future, to let them know that someone cares enough to take the time to make their holiday special, when maybe it never has been before,” said Anita Sackenheim, current chair of Miami Holiday Project.

Sackenheim started as a wrapping helper with the project and stepped up as chair when Coon asked for someone to take it over nearly 18 years ago. While sitting as chair of the project, one of Sackenheim’s family members received custody of a foster child. She said that seeing firsthand what happens when a child is removed from his or her home and placed in foster care is one of the biggest reasons why she cares so much about the Miami Holiday Project.

“Their needs are different than other children,” she said. “They may have come out of a domestic violence situation or from the hospital due to terrible abuse or neglect.”

When volunteers arrive at the Hamilton Meijer store beginning at 6 a.m., they will receive a profile of a child in the Butler or Preble County foster care system. The profile includes the child’s name, age, and a list of their needs and wants. Volunteers then purchase as many items from their child’s list as they can within the provided monetary limit.

In addition to the shopping day at Meijer, Miami Holiday Project also includes four days of gift-wrapping on Miami’s campus. During the wrapping sessions, students and community members are encouraged to take time out of their day to wrap the gifts that have been donated.

"It's special for me to not only be a part of such a team that has such a strong tradition of giving back but also to come together with the Oxford community for such a great cause," said Danielle Haidet, a Miami senior. “Having the opportunity to help fulfill a child's Christmas wish is moving.”

This is Haidet's second year participating in Miami Holiday Project and her first year as vice president of the Miami University Rowing Club. She organized nearly 30 of her teammates to take part in both the shopping and wrapping tasks of the project.

Haidet and her teammates are just a few of the volunteers who participate in the project annually. Other Miami students, Oxford residents and Boy Scout troops are among the other volunteers.

Last year, Miami Holiday Project provided (and wrapped) approximately 1,350 gifts, including gift cards, for 159 children.

This year, volunteers will be shopping for 162 local children. Of them, more than 40 are teens aged 13 to 17 who do not qualify for any other agency’s help.

“It makes me want to cry with every name I read on our list because I know that child has not done anything to deserve what they have been through,” said Sackenheim. “I have to take action, whatever it takes.”

Shopping volunteers are needed beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, with wrappers needed Monday through Thursday. The sign-up form is on the Miami Holiday Project page.

Photo: The Miami Holiday Project kicks off Saturday. -- Contributed photos