12/26/2025
This is copied from the President of our organization. His dedication and generosity is felt by so many. On behalf of the rest of the Board, thank you Charles Rishel Sr for being the pillar of your family and many others that you have touched. May God continue to bless you in 2026.
This festive season brought distinct challenges for my family, as holiday stress took its toll, yet it also presented opportunities for growth and love. We were initially overwhelmed by festivities and caught off guard by a situation that led to most of our holiday sales being cancelled. To make matters more complicated, Heather resigned from her position, and we acquired another property, which proved to be a considerable undertaking. Despite these hurdles, we persevered and ultimately enjoyed a wonderful Christmas celebration. Our holiday dinner was plentiful, featuring shrimp, crab legs, chicken, ham, and salmon, accompanied by an array of side dishes. However, despite the abundance, my mind kept wandering back to December 23rd. On that day, I received a call from a local pastor requesting assistance for families in need. He explained that his organization was struggling to support eleven families during the holiday season. Without hesitation, I offered my support, and the pastor and I divided the list, with his church covering five families and me taking responsibility for the remaining six. Coordinating last-minute shopping for 27 individuals proved to be a formidable task, especially given the financial constraints. Nonetheless, we were determined to ensure that every child received a thoughtful gift and every family had a substantial meal. The act of delivering assistance to these families was truly fulfilling. During one of the visits, I encountered a remarkable 14-year-old girl. As I was preparing to leave, she approached me and asked if she could speak with me. She inquired about the contents of the gift I had brought, but I politely asked her to wait until Christmas to open it with her family. Her reason for asking, however, touched my heart – she wanted to give the gift to her grandmother who was battling cancer, and she hoped it would bring a smile to her face during her last Christmas. Moved by her selflessness, I purchased additional gifts and returned to her home, providing her with everything needed to make her grandmother's Christmas special. This young girl's kindness and devotion to her grandmother embodied the true spirit of Christmas, leaving an indelible mark on my heart. Even in the darkest moments, let us not forget that others face greater challenges, and may we always find the strength to give and love without bounds.
