To the Journal editor:

Thanks to many in the Ishpeming area, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. John and St. Joseph Conference’s annual Christmas Basket distribution was one of its most successful yet!

Ninety-two Ishpeming-area households, including 35 families with school-aged children, received Christmas baskets.

Local businesses and organizations, parishioners of St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph Catholic Churches and Ishpeming-area residents provided financial contributions for purchasing food and small gifts for the children in the families.

After generous Thanksgiving food drives at the local Catholic churches, the conference only had to purchase turkeys, hams, bread and other assorted items to fill the food baskets, which held all the makings of a special Christmas meal. Jilbert Dairy donated a gallon of milk and margarine to complete each of these baskets.

An abundance of in-kind donations from Marquette-Alger Reading Council; Marquette County Quilter’s Association; Ishpeming Armory; Cub Scouts Pack #308; and local individuals added much more for those families with children.

The families were so appreciative of all the “extras” for their children: pajamas; books; small games/puzzles; stuffed animals; handmade purses and animal quilts; and mugs filled with candy among other stocking stuffers.

While neighboring areas have struggled to continue Christmas programs for the less fortunate in their communities, the Ishpeming area was truly blessed in 2017.

A big thanks to all volunteers and contributors to this program in spreading true Christmas Spirit to these Ishpeming-area families! God Bless.

Lisa Niemi

Ishpeming