Organizers are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Holiday Haul fundraiser for the St. Susan Center. Pictured, from left, are Cherie Rowland, St. Susan Center director; Randy Marsh from Jamestown Cycle Shop; Dan Keefe from Cummins; Keith Martin, Northwest Arena executive director; James Pullan Jr. from Jamestown Mattress; and Mark and Jordan Saxton from Jamestown Awning. Submitted photo

St. Susan Center is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the annual Holiday Haul fundraiser.

Cherie Rowland, St. Susan Center executive director, said the community’s effort through the fundraiser has raised over $125,000 and collected over 100,000 pounds of canned goods over the past nine years in support of the work of St. Susan Center.

Rowland said the 10th anniversary fundraiser could push the collective total to over $150,000.

Keith Martin, executive director of Northwest Arena, launched the Holiday Haul to assist St. Susan Center.

Rowland said Martin continues to lead the community in the act of giving during the Christmas season.

“He has withstood cold, snow, sleet and rain and cheered and encouraged our community to give to those who were less fortunate during the holiday season,” she said. “Keith is an outstanding member of this community that puts excitement in giving.”

As the 10th annual Holiday Haul fundraiser launches next week, Rowland explained the devotion of the fundraiser’s organizers and the generosity of the community reflects the meaning of the Christmas season.

“When you have the unyielding passion and heart of Keith Martin and Dan Keefe, or the unwavering support of businesses, such as Jamestown Awning, Jamestown Cycle Shop, Media One, Jamestown Mattress and the community, by their kindness, you understand the true meaning of this season is to give love, hope and joy.”

Rowland said the “incredible dedication” of community leaders is recognized and greatly appreciated by the St. Susan Center.

Martin explained the Christmas season is the perfect time for the annual fundraiser, as it captures the attention and support of the community.

“When we started this, we just felt that it was a fitting time because this time of year everybody has that feeling of giving,” he said. “It was a time of year that we felt could give St. Susan’s a little shot in the arm at this time of year to get them going into the new year.”

The donations collected for St. Susan Center will be utilized over the next couple months, making a significant impact on the needs of the community in Jamestown.

Rowland said the “guests” of the St. Susan Center are people who are unemployed or homeless.

“They are young parents, teens, seniors, children and the physically, mentally and emotionally challenged,” she said. “We have the distinct opportunity of providing healthy community, people are not designed to do life alone. Everyday our services provide the immediate need for food and to hopefully open healing and hope to those in need.”

Rowland explained that St. Susan has seen a major increase in the homeless population over the past couple years. She said the homeless population has “more than doubled,” resulting in Mayor Eddie Sundquist’s recent report that there are estimates of about 70 homeless individuals in Jamestown.

“St. Susan Center has contact with an average of 120 people daily, either facing food insecurities or homelessness or both,” she said. “St. Susan’s is on pace to serve over 34,000 meals this year. We have averaged 2878 meals each month this year. We have seen approximately a 15% increase over 2021.”

Like other organizations, Rowland said inflation has made it much more challenging to provide food for those in need. She explained that the “astronomical” rise of food prices in 2022 due to supply chain disruptions and the increase in fuel costs has resulted in more people utilizing the services offered by the St. Susan Center.

Regardless of the increase in food prices, St. Susan Center continues to carry out its mission statement.

“We freely offer meals, fellowship, dignity and respect to all who come through our doors,” she said. “St. Susan Center’s mission continues to be fulfilled through the generosity and hard work of so many people in our community.”

LOCAL ENCOURAGEMENT

As the 10th annual Holiday Haul commences, Martin encouraged people to stop by the Jamestown Cycle Shop to drop off monetary donations, food or supplies. This year’s Holiday Haul will be hosted Dec. 15-17. Martin explained that if people are not able to make it to the drop off location during those dates, they can send a check in the mail to the St. Susan Center.

“With the help of so many wonderful community members for the past nine years, the people of Jamestown in our community have graciously donated food and supplies and monetary donations each and every year, moving forward to this unbelievable 10th year in a row,” Marin said. “I think it’s just the continuation of getting the community’s awareness of the importance of what St. Susan’s does for our local people that need help. It’s just a wonderful blessing how our community comes out every year to help support St Susan’s.”

Martin said the important part of Holiday Haul is the awareness the fundraising campaign creates for St. Susan’s throughout the year. He emphasized the importance of the community’s support for the St. Susan Center not just at Christmas, but all year long.

According to Martin, the financial, food and supply donations St. Susan’s receives during the annual Holiday Haul usually only helps the St. Susan Center through February or March.

“There’s nine or 10 more months left in the rest of the year to get them through,” he said. “They need our support year-round. The biggest thing is bringing awareness to the wonderful things that they do year-round and help them get a kickstart in 2023.”