Silver Valley Civitans celebrate 57 years of gift giving
NUCOR Steel Lexington team members deliver bicycles with helmets to be distributed by the 57th edition of Silver Valley Civitan Project Santa. {Contributed Photo}
The 2023 Silver Valley’s Civitan Project Santa finished the 57th edition with the distribution of final gifts on December 23. Project Santa is the signature service project of the Silver Valley Civitan Club.
Members, former members, family, friends and neighbors along with donors contributed generously of their time and resources. Most families received their gifts at Santa Central on Cid Road with families adopted by the Silver Valley Fire Department receiving their gifts at the main fire station or being delivered.
A portion of the Silver Valley Civitan Project Distribution Team gathered prior to loading gifts to families’ vehicles on December 23. {Contributed Photo}
The community and surrounding areas were generous with support including assistance from churches, the school, the fire department, businesses and individuals.
They provided the project with contributions of monies, food, toys, socks, work space and their time. Cash contributions came from 27 sources.
The estimated value of all gifts distributed by Civitan is estimated at $25,000, the most ever. The fire brigade estimated value of their gifts is more than $10,000. The Silver Valley Fire Department served nine families.
More than 55 Civitan volunteers provided about 500 hours of service. The volunteers included 15 Civitan members in addition to more than 40 family and friends.
A Deputy with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office slowed vehicles to provide safe traffic conditions in front of Santa Central.
On Saturday morning families began arriving at the Santa Central well before the appointed time to be greeted by Santa and his elves. Vehicles were quickly loaded with the final gifts distributed shortly after noon. Saint Nicholas was portrayed by Michael Hussey.
Forty-five households, including 20 homes of seniors, received bountiful food donations. Approximately 3,000 pounds of food was distributed.
For three decades the students of Silver Valley Elementary School have gathered food. The students, faculty and staff contributed 868 non-perishable items to be distributed in the community this year.
For a 13th consecutive year, customers of the Silver Valley Food Lion store provided half of the food that was distributed. Civitan Project Santa received nearly 300
‘Holidays Without Hunger’ food packages containing six items each. Civitan Project Santa began delivered fruit to 110 seniors. More than 170 Christmas cards were mailed to seniors and people with disabilities. Eighteen people with special needs were visited with gifts by the Jolly Old Elf Davis Tucker donning the red suit.
The Silver Valley Civitan Club spent almost $9,600. Donated items had an estimated value exceeding $15,500. Civitan purchases were centered on clothing and shoes.
The major monetary contributor was NUCOR Steel Lexington. Local churches donating funds were New Jerusalem Reformed, Cid Community Church Women and the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Women. Several other businesses and individuals contributed ranging from $10 to $1,000.
NUCOR Steel Lexington team members contributed 34 bicycles, most with helmets, and 360 stocking stuffers. A Christmas angel again made a generous donation of 252 new toys. Local hosiery mills donated about 200 pairs of socks. The Silver Valley Fire Department gathered 57 coats and delivered to the elementary school several weeks prior to Christmas.
Jason and Stephanie Gallimore of Hitchcrafters provided their building for Santa Headquarters for an 18 th consecutive year.
The overall coordinator for Civitan Project Santa Claus was Brigade Commander and Chief Elf Joyce Parrish. The Brigade was divided into teams. Team captains were President Gary Arnold-list, Harold Parrish-follow-up contacts, Amy Hughes-clothing & toys, John Hughes-food & fruit and Peggy Harrison-people with special needs and cards.
