Guest Post: Share the Season Delivers Hope in Many Forms

Now, more than ever, we need to hear some good news. We need to see a glimmer of hope. And right here, in our Wichita community, a program called Share the Season delivers on that need. This season, it’s important to remember not only to give back to your family and friends, but to find it in your heart to give to the community. To reach out to those you don’t know, and possibly change their lives forever. During the month of December, I’ll be highlighting a few causes that are near and dear to my heart, in hopes that you or someone you know will be inspired to support them with your time, talents or treasures. I’ve invited Shelly Prichard, CEO of the Wichita Community Foundation, to share a story about how this program touches not only the lives of those who receive support, but those who give support as well.

He gave…because he could (by Shelly Prichard)

Heading to my office in the Epic Center, I noticed a gentleman struggling just to walk. His right pant leg was partially tucked into his sock, and I could see a hint of silver from his prosthetic leg. He had a walker, one like I had never seen before, that was only about six inches wide, and designed to be used on one side of your body. He was making his way toward the water fountain. I smiled and said hello; he greeted me in return. Then he said: “Hey, do you know where Suite 100 is?”

“I do,” I answered. “In fact, I work there.” He continued his journey – and for a mobile person like me, it was indeed, a journey – to the water fountain. After his drink, we slowly headed toward the Wichita Community Foundation doors. As we walked, he told me his story.

You see, every year for many years, he donated to Share the Season. He knew people needed help, and he liked this program because it helps people who are trying to help themselves. It helps people who are down on their luck, had an unfortunate incident, got sick, or maybe had a wife who had lost her job.

But he couldn’t donate last year. He couldn’t contribute because he was “having this thing chopped off” he motioned, referring to his leg above his knee. He wanted to help out, but he just couldn’t. Things were too tight because of his medical bills and physical struggles. However, he was back this year, and while he couldn’t give much, he wanted to help. And he wanted to make his donation in honor of his best friend’s wife, who had died just a few weeks ago. The donation was in her honor because she and her husband were so generous to others, and he wanted to memorialize her name.

I, of course, thanked him for his generosity and shared my sympathy for the loss of his friend. And then I offered: “You could have just sent us the donation. It would have been easier.”
“No, I couldn’t,” he replied, with unexpected conviction. “I had to WALK in here to make my donation this year…because I could.”

As I swallowed the lump in my throat, that still wells up every time I share this story, I thought about the times in my life when I have used that phrase: because I could. I say that when I talk about eating two desserts. I have justified my actions to myself with that phrase when I’ve skipped a sure-to-be-boring meeting. I have even said that to people when I talk about buying my dream car. This gruff, determined man made me think more about the motivation of my personal philanthropy than anyone ever had.

I was running out the door to another appointment, but our staff helped him with the paperwork and graciously accepted his check. His $400 check. His generosity and his friend’s wife were honored in the daily stories in the Wichita Eagle. And he left a grateful mark on my soul for teaching me what it means to truly give.

Click Here to Learn How You Can Share the Season

A few quick facts about Share the Season (STS):

• STS is a special program providing help and hope to the working poor during the holiday season.
• Families who do not qualify for other indigent programs apply for assistance and are screened carefully by the Salvation Army personnel.
• Each family can receive one-time assistance for needs such as utilities, paying medical bills, etc.
• Payments are made directly to vendors, such as the bank, utility company, the doctor.
• Each dollar donated by the public is gifted 100% back to those in need in the community.
• Last year, the people of Wichita donated over $216,000.
• 251 local families received help in 2011.
• A collaborative effort of the Wichita Community Foundation, The Wichita Eagle and the Salvation Army.
• Wichita Eagle donates ad space and runs daily stories on families in need.
• The Salvation Army carefully screens applicants and verifies needs and each family can only be helped once.
• The Wichita Community Foundation handles all donations and issues receipts to all who contribute.
• Program began in 2000, raising $72,069.59 and helping 100 families the first year.
• In total, 2,494 families have been helped with $2,005,758.19 in donated funds since the program’s inception.

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Interested in knowing more about how you can support the Wichita Community Foundation?
Shelly Prichard can be reached at sprichard@wichitacf.org or by calling 316-264-4880.