12/14/2025
This is a long ready - sorry in advance
I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this year's event. My heart overflows with gratitude when I sat down to begin thanking people. If I have forgotten anyone, please forgive me. The immense effort required to set up and execute the event was substantial, and it was only possible with the generous donations and volunteer work from our community. Junction City has such a giving community!!
The event entailed weeks of preparation, including numerous hours of sorting and organizing donations at the church.
This would not have been possible without the my best friends Lori Lee and Brittany Winnie Balthaser, who tirelessly assisted me day in and day out, listening,encouraging and holding me up ,even staying until 10 pm the night before the event. Their unwavering support, encouragement, and contributions, including baking chili and cookies to hand out, taking time to pick up supplies when I just didnt have enough hours in the day , and collecting donations made it possible for Hamper to happen.
Britanny..you have been my right hand gal since we started this 3 years ago in Junction City , encouraging me to start the event here and helping every step of the way! You are going to be greatly missed!
Sue and Tom Romanelli, who have been Mr. and Mrs. Santa since I randomly asked Tom to be Santa at the market one day. How blessed we were to have a couple so dedicated to bringing happiness to our community! The 1st Hamper was the beginning (Tom had never done it before) and since then they have been bringing joy to us. They donate their time,and over a 100 stockings each year to fill,.along with hygiene gifts and other donations. They are definitely an integral part of Hamper!!!
Christy Fitzpatrick - helping with sorting and organizing, going to the church on lunch breaks and even sending her husband Chad to help when she was sick and couldnt come! Chad helping fix broken racks, moving tables and trees and whatever was needed.
Kristina Gunia for jumping in this year to help, making signs ,sorting and handling the kids activity area.
Pamela Clampet and her husband Colin. Pamela is the best nursery leader since the 1st hamper here. They both came with clothing racks(thank you Colin for putting them together for me!) And helped with sorting.
Colin providing pizzas and eggnog for over 30 volunteers and being on hand to help whereever needed.
Diego Lopez - super barber, who provided at least 25 haircuts tirelessly for the whole 4 hours without a break!
Over 30 other volunteers who helped on the day of the event, made a significant impact.
Gail, Peggy, Celia, Dale, and Pastor Doug from the First Baptist Church of Junction City, KS, for all your help and allowing us to use the church, and take over your fellowship hall for months!
Matt and his students from Jobcorp
Nate Brookshire and Arvin
Paige Mendoza - stepping in this year as our photographer for Santa photos!
Stickin' Cute Creations - giving their time and talent to orovide everyone a printed photo with Santa
Terry Butler and her family, coming each year to fill and hand out stockings
Lidia Smith- for making t shirts at the last minute for me and allowing my co workers at Kansasworks to come help during the day!. Kansas Workforce One for a gift of over $300 in diapers and wipes
LIEAP for a $200 gift card to purches needed aupplies ( stocking stuffers like toys and candy)
Fraternal Order of the Eagles - Melinda Smelley and her team collected and gave donations, coming through for me with $250 worth of stocking stuffers when i was getting down to the wire with empty stockings to fill!
MAS Help-Henry Petty and his wife provided donations of everything from household products to brand new clothing.
Terry and her husband from Marshmellow Momma Outlets - donating clothing racks, hygiene products and more. They collected donations at their store and helped spread the word !
The Treasure Bin JC although closed now, had donated all new clothes in the spring when they closed.
Amanda Combs and her boys coming to fill in wherever needed for the 3rdyear in a row
The Coleman family coming for their second year , helping wherever needed at the event.
Providence Baptist JC- collecting donations from our church family.
Activated Arts collecting donations and providing volunteers.
Christy Upham providing donations, checking in with me to see what we needed even while super busy with her own donation event.
Jodi Mason doing the same, donating even while taking care of the homeless in our community.
The new volunteers who came that I didnt even know beforehand...and I dont know full names to post. .thank you.
Most importantly, this event wouldnt exist if it weren't for my daughter, Brianna Downey who created this event 8 years ago in Binghamton, NY. Her big heart and caring has started something that helps so many . To start an event that has celebrated its 8th year in NY and 3rd year in Junction City is pretty amazing! I am blessed to have her as my daughter!
My son-in-law, Tyler Downey, who has supported my daughter and the event in so many ways since it started 8 years ago. The best son-in-law ever.
My husband, Fred , who put up with me through it all!
To everyone who contributed, in whatever form, Thank You! This is an event of community working together to help each other out and caring about those in need. Community helping community.
'We give because he gave.' Let us continue to spread love, kindness, and generosity during this Christmas season, celebrating the birth of Jesus!! He is the greatest gift of all!
Lori Lee Britanny Winnie Balthaser Susan Romanelli Thomas Romanelli Christy Fitzpatrick Chad Fitzpatrick Kristina Gunia Pamela Clampet First Baptist Church of Junction City, KS Nate Brookshire Paige Mendoza Terry Butler Lidia Smith Henry Petty Marshmellow Momma Outlets The Treasure Bin Jc Providence Baptist JC Activated Arts Brianna Downey Tyler Downey
