Each year’s holiday season is soon forgotten — yet, occasionally, the holiday spirit keeps giving well into the busy days of the new year.
And indeed, you’d be hard pressed to find a busier place than the Old Town Mission, laboring harder to sustain the effort of giving.
General Manager Kellie Wilson said that the work she, her employees and volunteers do is constant and ever evolving. Providing care to those in need, whether it be a meal, a haircut or a quick shower, is no simple task.
Fortunately for everyone involved, local organizations are willing to lend an extra hand now and then.
“During the holidays, Home Depot organized a cold-weather drive for low-income and homeless families and individuals in our community,” Wilson said. “Store manager Steve Machek and his associate Tim Garner delivered the blankets and jackets to the Old Town Mission while we were hosting our Community Christmas Brunch in which we served over 250 of our neighbors.
“During that initial visit, they were able to witness firsthand how building solid and sincere relationships between the staff, volunteers and business partners really impacts the people we serve on a daily basis within the community we live. Steve mentioned the possibility of Home Depot and Behr Paint joining together to paint the interior of the mission, which had not been painted in years. We were excited to be considered for such an awesome outreach project.”
April 16 saw dozens of people hard at work, painting the mission’s 4,500-square-foot interior — a monumental effort, according to Wilson.
“If Home Depot and Behr Paint had not graciously given their time and resources to make this project a reality for the Old Town Mission, it wouldn’t have been possible,” Wilson added. “The total cost for materials and labor would be around $5,000 to $6,000, and we function completely by donations …. It says that people really care about our community and our willing and excited about truly making a difference. It’s about relationships and neighbors helping neighbors.”
Quick to praise Machek and Home Depot Bookkeeper Lou Thompson — who worked to order the proper paint and supplies for the mission — Wilson said that the event marked a moment when nonprofit and profit concerns came together for the better of the community. Regardless, she made it clear that there is more work to be done to assist vulnerable Verde Valley residents.
“Over 500 guests are provided with food, clothing, hygiene items and bedding, and also served lunch daily in our dining room,” Wilson said. “We’re in desperate need of replacing our table and chairs. The Old Town Mission is inviting businesses, groups or individuals to help with this endeavor. All that it would take is for 25 donors to contribute $225 each, which would cover the cost of a table and four chairs, thereby providing enough seating to serve 100 people.”
