Sunday, December 6, 2015
Nature: Indian River’s Nana’s Kids Campaign 2015

Over the past month, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company and its collaborative partners – County Bank, Long Neck Elementary School, the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Orchard-Riverdale, the Community Church of Oak Orchard, the members of the Nanticoke Indian Association and many other corporate and community partners have fostered a campaign to generate gifts, clothing, food and other family necessities for our local residents that may have fallen upon unfortunate times.  This holiday season is no different!

Recently, Carol Taylor attended Indian River to make her annual presentation and offer words of wisdom and guidance with respect to the campaign effort. 

Carol begun by saying “….Good Evening and thanks so much for having me again.

Four (4) years ago my mom’s life was tragically taken, I feel even more strongly now that in the face of tragedy you can roll over or you can stand up.   Together we have done a crazy amazing job supporting the kids of this community and that really is the legacy I want to carry on. 

I am here tonight with Patrick, County Bank and our other Community Partners to kick off on their behalf and that of my family and friends….our 4th Annual Nana’s Kids Campaign.

The Indian River VFC Toy Drive was my mom’s favorite charity project. Because of growing in foster care, my mother felt very strongly about supporting the kids in her community. My sister and I live out of state but the at-risk kids we support are from this community, they are the future of Sussex County.  We have the opportunity to guide their development, so that when they are the ones sitting in front of me, we together have built a stronger neighborhood.

As I say EVERY YEAR, these toys/clothes and the monetary donations we receive are more than just things…they represent – kindness, generosity, friendship, and love. I am honored every year that my family, my friends, strangers and the community donate their hard earned money to help support this community and the memory of my mom. 

I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the collaborating partners – the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company, County Bank, the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Orchard, the Community Church of Oak Orchard, Rogers Signs, and the Nanticoke Indian Association.  I also really need to acknowledge Millie Charnick of the Boys & Girls Club and Patrick Miller for all their behind the scene work and for facilitating this Campaign. Where most of my work is now done, Millie and Patrick’s work is just beginning.

So… on behalf of my sister, Teresa Gudger our family and friends, I am honored to present the toys and warm clothing you see behind me  to the Nana’s Kids Campaign … in addition I would like to present Patrick a check for the amount we received in monetary contributions thru today of $5,800 bringing our 2015 collections SO FAR to Nana’s Kids Campaign of over $11,000 dollars. The money and toys go directly to this community and the kids of the Long Neck / Oak Orchard area.

I am beyond excited to tell you that in four years our total donations have reached $48,000…can you believe we are teetering on $50K – who would have thought that in 4 years together, we would have been able to generate so much support and compassion and the number of smiles is completely priceless.

It is only December 2nd, so the local community still has plenty time to support our Campaign. County Bank, the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Orchard-Riverdale, and the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company are all drop off locations for donations.

My mother may never be remembered for what she did while living, my hope is that through the Nana’s Kids Campaign, people don’t forget what she stood for and that it’s easy to be kind.

Thanks so much for your time and Happy Holidays.”

You may find additional information via the following websites:

Nana's Kids (Gudger Family Site)

https://sites.google.com/site/nanaskidscampaign/home

Sussex County Post - Community support perpetuates Nana's caring, charitable legacy

http://sussexcountypost.com/news/community-support-perpetuates-nanas-caring-charitable-legacy/