I knew that certain storylines would develop one week into December. I just didn’t know how or when or where.

Little did I know that this story would develop, December 4, on the floor of the monthly meeting of the Middleton Chamber of Commerce, held as usual, at the Marriott West.

On that inauspicious occasion MOM received a check from the Chamber’s “Goodwill Ambassadors.” The check represents a kitty of “bragging rights” (for $1 donation to the kitty, ambassadors get to boast personally or professionally about something they are excited about).

I then offered a few, brief (for me) words of thanksgiving and opportunities for giving. As it turned out, area businesses want to do for MOM more than I could ever ask or imagine. Those blessings are recounted here to stir up and spread around more goodwill.

First, I salute Middleton’s “finest” and its beloved Chief of Police, Larry Fass, who that day announced his retirement after 31 years. Larry’s department is conducting a food drive to benefit MOM families and winning, we hope, a friendly competition (that ends this week) with other area PDs. Larry and his crew will still pick-up food from any business this month that wants to donate to MOM. Several companies, including the recent Chamber sponsor Staybridge Suites, told me they would conduct such a food drive.

MOM has 200 needy families who just want a gift for each of their children who would otherwise go without—except for generous donor families or employee groups in town. When I mentioned, “MOM was 20 donors short,” the response was overwhelming. Thanks to many who called in, we matched up all the MOM client families on a waiting list who had yet to be adopted for Christmas.

Support also came in for things I did not solicit, but desperately need.

Shannon McMahan put herself and her SUV “on call” (to MOM) for pick up or delivery of commodities (clothing, furniture) that we don’t have the means to do with existing drivers, vehicles or time.

MOM is behind the times in our computer department. Knowing this, Kurt Sippel of Applied Tech volunteered to put together a grant for resources to upgrade MOM’s 5-year-old technology. (That’s a project this technology-challenged person has been putting off all year.)

Applied Tech also bequeathed to us their administrative assistant, Joyce Collins, who is retiring and will bring her talents to the MOM Office or Distribution Center.

John Russell, out-going president of the Chamber, volunteered to help MOM link with any media outlets we need to help sponsor upcoming fund-raising events.

Sid Bolton, of Sedona Staffing Services, offered to help qualified MOM clients find employment. (We have many unemployed or underemployed clients and, due to county budget cutbacks, the Employment and Training Specialists housed at MOM the last five years were pulled last October.)

Many area business owners or sales and marketing people already bring their considerable talent and energy to MOM’s Development Committee. Chief among them, and networking with me on December 4, were City Administrator Mike Davis and Chamber Executive Director Van Nutt.

Mike first introduced MOM to the Greenway Station developers and has fostered many giving opportunities to MOM through the United Way. (Giving by city employees increased from two to thirty since Mike came on the scene, and he is pitching for a citywide campaign next year.)

Van is representing us to Greenway Station businesses and others looking for a charitable cause to support during their grand openings, or in the course of “doing good business.” For example, the grand opening of Malay China Restaurant is December 12-14. Come this weekend for lunch, brunch (Saturday and Sunday only), or dinner, and a 20% share of the proceeds from their Chinese cuisine will benefit MOM.

Around the table on December 4, each Chamber member shared their response to the question, “What is your favorite holiday tradition?” Mine is “The feeding of the 400”—a holiday tradition that began more than three decades ago. MOM feeds the multitudes at St. Bernard’s, 12 noon on Christmas Day. That day Middleton area churches serve turkey and all the trimmings to residents who are housebound or lonely or just want to share the holidays with someone. Guests from the Salvation Army shelter system also join us, having spent the night before as guests of the Marriott West.

This holiday tradition comes to you thanks to the tireless efforts of Nette Schlinsog. After 13+ years of coordinating this community-wide event, Nette is asking that someone else take over. Anyone interested for next year?

Now it’s your turn. You, too, have an opportunity to designate a portion of your time, talent or treasure to MOM. We just sent out almost 56,000 letters, asking for your continued support, even your first-time support. So far we have received many happy returns—about $16,000 last week (compared to $2000 in a typical week). But MOM will need $100,000 in happy returns, just this month, if the present level of giving to the poor is to continue in 2004.

“What goes around comes around” is a motto well worn by these generous companies and by you generous neighbors who build Middleton into the “Good Neighbor City” that it is. As blessed as we hope our Christmas will be, I hope yours is equally blessed.

© 2003 Middleton Outreach Ministry

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