Sanders County Sheriff's Relief Fund delivers food and gifts
Debbie Rolleri of the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office helps pack all the fixings for holiday dinners, from turkey, potatoes, and stuffing right down to the yams and butter. (Carolyn Hidy/Valley Press)
Tracy and Dakota Hensley make the handoff to Sheriff Tom Rummel, loading bags of gifts and food for families throughout Sanders County. (Carolyn Hidy/Valley Press)
The annual Sanders County Sheriff’s Relief Fund food and gift distribution came off without a hitch Dec. 23.
With Theresa Milner’s experience at leading it, and a motivated crew of 40 or so volunteers, this year’s event had the efficiency of a well-oiled machine.
Each year, dozens of volunteers join in the effort to bring a little extra holiday cheer to families throughout the county. Any individual or family can fill out a request, including numbers and ages of children in the household.
Just before Christmas, big-hearted members of the sheriff’s office and community fan out to personally deliver to their doorsteps all the makings for a full turkey dinner and two gifts for each child.
Over the years, many of the volunteers return, and enjoy the fun of finding each home, whether in town or in the far flung reaches of this rural county, and the smiles of the recipients.
With a horse trailer serving as his sleigh, “Santa” Sheriff Tom Rummel picked up food early in the morning from Harvest Foods.
Crews of “elves” had already wrapped and bagged gifts, which sat ready to go in Valley Bank’s basement. When Rummel arrived they made short work of assembling all the ingredients for each family’s turkey dinner.
Most of the gifts came from community members picking a heart from the “Tree of Hearts” displays at many area businesses, and buying a toy for the child who’s age is on the heart.
Generous community donations of about $12,000 helped purchase the food and fill in for any last minute gifts needed. AVISTA topped it off this year by donating a blanket for every family.