Tecumseh Service Club seeks support for ‘adopt-a-family’ program

Tecumseh Service Club has been helping families in need here in the community since 1932 when the organization was known as the Tecumseh Welfare Service. Although it is best known at the holidays for the work it does making Christmas merry for local families with gifts of clothing, toys and food, the work of Tecumseh Service Club is done all year round.The organization is made up of 36 members, a board of directors, and several committees. Members meet regularly, and with the help from community organizations, Tecumseh Service Club provides emergency assistance with bills, as well as food and clothing assistance. Over the years the organization has provided food, housing and utility payments, clothing and household goods, dental and eye care helped construct handicapped ramps, and helped people in need passing through the community.A clothing room at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (currently Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church) opened in 1986 and every Thursday morning provides clothing for those in need. St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church provides space for a food pantry so families have access to staple foods.“There are so many families out there that may have just fallen on hard times,” said Colleen Sunderland, Christmas Coordinator/Corresponding Secretary. “It’s our way to give back to the community.”Community support is what keeps the operation humming. Churches and local groups collect food, while businesses allow their storefronts to be collection points for food, books and toys. Individuals support Tecumseh Service Club throughout the year with cash donations, and groups and organizations will sponsor fundraising activities with the proceeds coming to help the work.“We don’t do fundraising ourselves,” Sunderland said. “It’s just amazing how people continue to support us.”As the holidays approach, one of the busiest times of the year is in full swing for Tecumseh Service Club. In 1954, the organization spent $252.90 on Christmas baskets. By 1986, 132 families were served. Recently, the average number of families served is 155 families plus senior citizens with a holiday budget of over $35,000.“We try to make the Christmas holidays a little nicer for our less fortunate area families,” said Sunderland. “Each family receives a large food offering, along with a new outfit, socks, hats and mittens, and at least one new toy for each child. We receive referrals for these families from local churches, schools, Associated Charities, Red Cross, Department of Social Services, and the Salvation Army. Some of the families are adopted for the holidays by area families, churches, school classes, groups, or offices. They purchase all or part of the gifts. The rest are shopped for by our members.”The Gift of Reading is in its seventh year for Tecumseh Service Club, and allowed each child in the program to receive the gift of a brand-new book at the holidays. Last year the program received 287 donations of books, toys, puzzles and posters, with $400 in donations and a $500 anonymous gift.This year, 130 families have signed up for holiday assistance. Tecumseh Service Club volunteers conduct home visits and interviews with each family to make sure they qualify for the program.In addition to the regular volunteers, Tecumseh Service Club is always in need of help with the distribution of the gifts.Set-up for the distribution is Friday, Dec. 19, at Tecumseh Methodist Church, with distribution Saturday, Dec. 20. Anyone wishing to help should contact Jennifer Shearer at 423.7662.As with all the work done by Tecumseh Service Club, volunteers keep operations running for all aspects of assistance, just as they help set up families with the Christmas adoption program. The organization is always happy to have new people join in its community service work. For those who want to support Tecumseh Service Club financially during the month of December, donations can be sent to 123 N. Ottawa St., Tecumseh, MI 49286.“We hope to have the community continue to support us so we can do this work all year long,” said Sunderland. “People may only hear of us at Christmas but we are working all year.”

Tecumseh Herald

 

110 E. Logan St.
P.O. Box 218
Tecumseh, MI 49286
517-423-2174
800-832-6443

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