Letter to the Editor

Family takes time to share with others

Sunday, January 24, 2010

To the Editor:

I would like to share the joy my family enjoyed during the holidays.

My had our Dierdorf Family Christmas Party Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Knightsville Community Center. We have a committee that gathers about three times before the party to get everything organized for the big day.

We had 111 that attended this year. We will gather in a circle and hold hands and introduce ourselves and then we say a prayer. Everyone enjoyed the good food and the fellowship with one another.

We had a craft table for the kids and a cookie walk for them to enjoy. We constructed a "Dierdorf Family Christmas Tree," in which everyone wrote their names on an ornament and placed on the tree. We played "Santa Bingo," in which the winners won nice prizes.

We were entertained by the "Hands of Clay," singing group from the First Apostolic Tabernacle. That was an amazing night.

We were visited by Santa. He arrived on a fire truck, which the kids loved. He passed out treat bags to all the kids.

Now for the real reason I am writing this letter. We had a silent auction and a live auction. Everyone brought items whether they were new or used and they were auctioned off. Auctioneer T.G. Timberman entertained and took care of the auction duties.

The reason for the auctions are that my family was able to help two families with children in Brazil to have a little better Christmas this year.

Did I mention that we raised $2,018.75? Wow. We wrapped all the gifts from clothes to toys and delivered them along with food items to the families.

What a joy it was to be able to do this. My family is truly a family that cares for their community.

I want to give a special "thank you" to the Van Buren Volunteer Fire Department, T.G. Timberman, Hoosier Homes and Land, the Youth Group from First Apostolic Tabernacle, and of course, the DCPPC group. Together, we made this year a year to remember.

As always, we are all looking forward to next year.

Troy Jackson,

Terre Haute