By DALE BRAKHAGE / Community Columnist

For 20 years, the generosity of Indian Springs villagers has spread Christmas joy to needy students in the Oak Mountain school system.

Since it was created, the Indian Springs Village Children’s Fund has provided Christmas for countless local children. Through the Children’s Fund, residents of Indian Springs donate money and their valuable time to shop for gifts and clothing.

The way the fund works is elegantly simple. Children in need are identified by counselors in the Oak Mountain school system. Indian Springs volunteers gather those names and their needs. Then more volunteers use donated funds to shop for specific gifts and clothing to help those children.

One hundred percent of all funds donated are used directly for the benefit of these children in need. Every cent donated purchases food, clothing, toys and school supplies for these children who would otherwise receive nothing at this special time of the year. There are absolutely no administrative fees or costs, and all of the shopping is done by your neighbors who volunteer their time.

The Children’s Fund was the idea of villagers who knew that, even in north Shelby County, misfortunes happen and sometimes families need help to make Christmas happy. There is no space here to name all of the volunteers from the last 20 years. A few names need mentioning, however.

In the 1990s, Indian Springs Councilwoman Patricia Crapet worked unselfishly to promote the fund and gather donations of money and time. Councilman Herb Robins and his wife. Margie, have always been very involved with this great project. In the 2000s, former Mayor Steve Zerkis picked up the task of promoting the Children’s Fund to villagers.

Currently, OMES school counselor Hayden Belisle is working with the Fund to see needy children received help. The program could not be successful without the input from school counselors like her.

If you would like to donate to this worthy cause, please make your check payable to ISV Children’s Fund and mail to 2635 Cahaba Valley Road, Indian Springs Village, AL 35124.

For more information, contact City Clerk Kelly Rasco via email at kelly@indianspringsvillage.org.

 

Dale Brakhage writes a weekly column about Indian Springs and its residents. You can reach him at dale@dalebrakhage.com.