The last packages are bundled and left the post office, scraps of wrapping paper and empty rolls of packing tape have been thrown in the trash, Christmas is on the way to about 150 children and their families on the small Island of Roatan.
The annual Morgan Jayne Project Christmas Appeal to fill a wish list for children, who have little more than wishes, has been filled. Volunteers have worked feverishly to ship 154 boxes of gifts, totalling two and half tons, almost twice as many as last year.
“I am actually sitting here, kind of shaking, I am overwhelmed,” said Fred Makowecki of the Morgan Jayne roject. “To double it this year makes me think, how did that just happen? It blows my mind.”
With the extra boxes comes the extra expense to ship the items, including landing fees on the other end. The support for the project was overwhelming, as was the monetary support for the dozens that chipped in for the shipping.
After the first boxes were sent, Makowecki could see they were going to need a fair chunk of money to cover the shipping. It continued to add up, but so did the support. The drive was on last week, and a number of local individuals and businesses came through.
Despite this they were still short some funds for shipping, and Makowecki personally covered the shortfall for the shipping. While he would still appreciate support for some of the shipping expenses, he said this year was a complete success.
“I can’t believe it, the support this year was so amazing. People I never met before, there are so many people that stepped up,” said Makowecki. “If the whole world was like Drumheller, we would have no problems.”
