"I donate what I would spend on them to Guatemala Christmas," says Karns.
Guatemala Christmas is an annual drive to collect Christmas shoeboxes for delivery to needy kids in Guatemala. The project reached Jacksonville in 2001 and is sponsored by Jacksonville State University's History Club and the History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta.
"Outside Guatemala City is a huge landfill, a garbage dump," said Karns. "A lot of these kids live in slums in boxes with plastic tarps over them. You can't imagine what life is like. These kids get a lot of what they have by rummaging through that garbage. We are talking about orphans and real poor children."
These gifts will not only help the children, but also their families.
"One gift may go to a whole family, and that's all the family will get for Christmas, and sometimes it's hard for us to grasp the concept of that because of what we have and where we are from," said Karns.
According to Karns, the community has really taking this program to heart.
A big part of this campaign is to get the word out. Karns has been going around to different clubs, organizations, and churches telling people to tell others.
Karns recently spoke with JSU's Fellowship of Christian Athletes. According to Karns, the group members are now having fun trying to out do each other on how many boxes they can make.
"Everyone can make a large contribution to this worthwhile program by passing this information onto your chuches, schools, and communities," said Karns
"Over the past two years we have seen astronomical growth," said Karns.
Guatemala Christmas collected 467 boxes and raised $2,400 last year, which was a 50 percent increase from 2007, which was a 50 percent increase from 2006. Sacred Heart accounted for 200 of the boxes last year.
This year the bar is set high. The 2009 goal is to collect 700 boxes and to raise $3,600.
The money raised is to cover the shipping costs for sending the boxes overseas. After that, any money left over is used to help raise or make more boxes.
"There are no paid employees," said Karns. "All of the cash donations go directly to support the program."
According to Karns, this is what makes the Jacksonville organization different. "There are very few organizations that can make this claim."
To participate, fill a shoebox with items such as small toys, school supplies, hygiene products, socks and underwear, hard candy, picture books, etc. The program asks not to include wood items, toy guns or other weapons, perishable foods, liquids such as shampoo, medicines of any kind, or breakable items.
Mark the box on the top with the gender and what age range the box it is for (5-9 year olds, 10-13 year olds, or 14-16 year olds).
Boxes may be delivered to Dr. George Lauderbaugh at JSU's Stone Center, at the history office. Karns says that if there are a large number of boxes in one donation, they will pick them up. The program will be going until December 15th.
To make a monetary donation, stop by any Fort McClellan Credit Union, or send a donation to: Attention: Guatemala Chirstmas, Fort McClellan Credit Union, P.O. Box 5250, Fort McClellan AL, 36205. Make sure to make checks payable to Guatemala Christmas.
According to Karns, this project is about joy, and it is not just for the kids.
"It's not a box full of toys, to me it is a box full of joy. It gives me joy," he said.
So, while the Karns might not be opening up presents on Christmas Day, the joy will still be there.
"I challenge people to do the same thing," he said. "Talk to your parents. Talk to your children. Find out if it's OK to donate what would be used for gifts to the needy children of Guatemala. You would probably be real shocked about what the actual answer is."
For more information or to have Dale Karns come speak to your group, contact him at 435-8988 or e-mail him at kkdk88@bellsouth.net.
Post a Comment