County residents are 'generous'

To the Editor:

Greetings from all of us at French Funeral Home, to the generous residents of Clay County.

Several weeks ago, Soni Henry, our office manager, asked me about participating in a program called, "Stockings for Soldiers."

She had been made aware of this through a group we belong to entitled, "Veteran and Family Memorial Care," organization.

The idea being that we, at the funeral home, would provide the Christmas stocking and a suggested list of approved items for people in the community to help a soldier away from home. We would then ship the stockings to the deployment destinations.

Well, we provided 118 stockings that were filled by people of all ages in our little corner of the world.

This included the Van Buren Elementary School, which provided a bounty of items from the children and staff.

We shipped 18 boxes to men and women who are currently serving our country away from home. We were so grateful for the positive response from the community.

My second "Thank you" is directed to those that gave so generously this past Sunday at our Holiday Memorial Program. I had asked if those attending would bring a nonperishable food item for the Clay County Food Pantry.

I had the idea that sometimes giving to others helps those grieving to feel like they have done something to help someone and that may make the holiday a little brighter.

Well, those attending certainly did bring the items. My "Santa Sleigh" was full the next day to deliver to the Pantry. What a wonderful blessing.

Many times we hear the comment, "Well, it's Brazil. What do you expect?" The residents have proved to me over and over again to be a kind and generous community and one that sticks together in hard times.

God Bless you all. And a very joyous Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Susie French and the staff of French, Lawson-Miller and Schoppenhorst

Funeral Home