Tecumseh Service Club rallies community to bring holiday cheer to families in need
- news655
- Nov 25
- 3 min read
BY KELLY OVERHOLT
As the holiday season approaches, financial strain can weigh heavily on families already facing hardship. With the support of the local community, the Tecumseh Service Club (TSC) is working to ensure that every child and family in need in Tecumseh and the surrounding areas can experience the joy of the season.
“Our goal is to take care of families in need and to allow those who can’t afford all the expenses of the season to have the brightest Christmas possible,” TSC President Colleen Sunderland said. “We take care of families year-round, but this is the time of the year when parents just don’t have the extra money. We want to be sure each child has a special Christmas to remember.”
At the heart of TSC’s holiday efforts is its Sponsor-A-Family program, which pairs donors with local children in need. Sponsors can shop for one child or several and must purchase new pajamas, socks, underwear, a casual outfit and at least one toy. Each child’s age and interests are provided to help guide gift selections.
Those interested in sponsoring a family can email tecumsehserviceclub2020@gmail.com to be anonymously matched. Donations must be dropped off on Thursday, Dec. 18, at the Tecumseh United Methodist Church, 605 Bishop Reed Drive.
“We don’t give out the information on the parents because we take care of them by providing them with at least two large boxes full of groceries,” Sunderland said.
In mid-December, volunteers assemble food boxes that accompany each family’s gifts. Boxes include a turkey, cooking supplies, eggs, butter, canned goods, laundry soap, fresh vegetables, and other essentials.
“It’s amazing when a family picks up their gifts and you see the expression on their faces,” Sunderland said. “They’re just in disbelief that we are helping them so much and that we live in such a giving community that wants to help each other out.”
Families requesting assistance can apply through Dec. 5 at tecumsehserviceclub.com. Applicants must live within TSC’s service area, meet income guidelines and complete an interview.
Since 1932, TSC has assisted families in Tecumseh, Clinton, Britton and Tipton. They partner year-round with the Lenawee Community Foundation, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis, Tecumseh Public Schools, area churches, and Busch’s to provide support for families facing financial crisis. Assistance commonly includes help with housing payments, utilities, auto expenses, medical bills and other unexpected expenses. This past summer, TSC also hosted a craft booth at the Tecumseh Farmers Market, where children created bookmarks and selected a new book to take home, courtesy of the Deb Rhodaberger Memorial Fund.
“The holidays remain our biggest project because we’re giving toys and clothes to all the children, but we also assist senior citizens throughout the season,” Sunderland said. “We usually help 30-40 senior citizens and provide them with gift cards to Jerry’s Market.”
Alongside Sponsor-A-Family, TSC offers several other opportunities for the community to give back this holiday season, including toy donations, a book program, and a giving tree at Hopscotch Kids. The tree displays tags listing holiday wishes for children that shoppers can choose from.
TSC also partners with the Tecumseh District Library for the long-running Gift of Reading program, which ensures every child adopted by TSC receives one or two new books for Christmas. New books can be donated at the library Nov. 24-Dec.15 and then will be delivered to TSC, where volunteers match them with children based on their interests.
New toy donations are also welcomed through Toys for Toys, which works with TSC to distribute gifts to local children. Collection bins are placed at several Tecumseh businesses, with a full list of drop-off sites posted at toysfortots.org.
“We all work together,” Sunderland said. “We received a large supply from Toys for Tots this year that filled our car. It was amazing the number of toys we got from them. The generosity all around has just been incredible.”
Beyond the Christmas programs, TSC is also collecting canned goods through Dec. 17 at Living in Lenawee, 214 E. Chicago Blvd., and Tuckey’s Big Boy, 2701 E. Monroe Road.
Monetary contributions are accepted year-round by mail at P.O. Box 375, Tecumseh.
“No matter how people help, we are thankful for the community support and grateful to all the people, businesses, churches, and organizations that help us make everything we do possible,” Sunderland said. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do any of this. It’s amazing how people in our community come through.”