Being Blessed While Spreading Christmas Blessings

The oven is open, expelling heat and the aroma of a freshly-baked turkey. On the other side of the kitchen, Grandma is busy with the finishing touches on her recipe for strawberry rhubarb pie while UncleTed and Aunt Mary are putting the finishing touches on the relish tray and the gravy respectively.

Next door lives a family who isn't having roast beast as written in the Dr. Seuss version. They aren't having Who Pudding and may not even have mashed potatoes and margarine. They are thankful to have a simple house and Christmas is to have shelter from the elements.

Some families are not complaining for not having the right pie or ham instead of turkey. They are hoping to have a complete meal.

The King's Daughters in Sidney held its Christmas basket distribution Friday, Dec. 15. Part of the Kings Daughters food distribution is learning how some families truly are in need. Not everyone lives up to even the minimum poverty level, according to volunteers with the King's Daughters. They describe meeting families who not only cannot provide a traditional Christmas with all of the bright colors, presents and overwhelming dinner, some do not have the basic necessities for a safe home. Volunteers recalled the times when dinner boxes were delivered and meeting families who did not have a working oven or refrigerator.

Members on hand to help with the food box distribution Friday describe the days when they would deliver the food, meeting people who did not have a stove or oven, some who did not have a working refrigerator.

Hank Radtke has volunteered with the program for more than 30 years. He said he met people who - although things might be bad for you, as he said - they are going through an even rougher time. He recalls meeting families who he felt compelled to help more than was expected. In at least one situation, he helped buy the family a complete Christmas celebration, including gifts.

"You see a lot of good happen," he said. "It is just heartwarming."