BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Friends of Coal Ladies’ Auxiliary of Beckley brightened the lives of hundreds of Mountain State residents on Friday as the organization’s annual Christmas giveaway event supplied food, toys, and holiday cheer to families across the state.
The giveaway event has been running for nearly two decades, with FCLA Chairwoman, Regina Fairchild taking the time to speak with LOOTPRESS about the annual giveaway.
“We’ll be taking care of over 600 people today,” Fairchild explained. “We give food that will sustain a family for two weeks, and we give them a ham and a flower arrangement.
We do deployed military and we work very closely here in Raleigh County with all the counselors in each school. They help us find those that could use a helping hand.”
Also contributing to the proceedings was Raleigh County Sheriff and Black Diamond Lodge 81 Fraternal Order of Police Vice President, Jim Canaday, who delivered a check for the event on behalf of the FOP.
“The Friends of Cold Ladies Auxiliary is such a great organization and what they’re doing here with the giving of food and gifts; the FOP wanted to be a part of it,” Canaday told LOOTPRESS.
“We had a really good pool season this year. The community really came out and got behind us; they bought memberships; and I think they had an enjoyable summer. Because of all the work that a lot of people put in we were able to give back to the community this year.”
President of West Virginia Fraternal Order of Police and Barboursville Chief of Police, Daren McNeil spoke with LOOTPRESS about the process of attaining supplies for the giveaways, which entails an annual trip to Philadelphia in coordination with Philadelphia Lodge #5 of the Fraternal Order of Police.
“Every year Steve Walker – who is our national trustee – and I make the trip from Barboursville, WV. I pick up Steve on the way to Charleston and we go to Philadelphia. There’s a gentleman up there with Philadelphia Lodge #5 of the Fraternal Order Police by the name of Jimmy Herity. He and his wife started collecting toys probably 20 plus years ago out of their home, and then it spread to the warehouses in Philadelphia.
Basically what we do is when we go up there, Jimmy and the good folks at Philadelphia Lodge #5, they load our van up and we drive from Philadelphia straight to here. Once we’re here, these fine folks with the Friends of Coal Ladies’ Auxiliary and the Miners baseball team meet us here and they help unload.”
Despite the many miles and considerable effort that goes into the annual trips, McNeil says it’s a part of the holidays he looks forward to each year and that the two plan to continue making the trek yearly for as long as they are able.
We enjoy doing it, Steve and I. We’ve been buddies and partners on this operation for the last eight years and I can’t see us stopping until we physically can’t do it,” he exclaims. “We have a great network and we’re happy to be a part of it. We know that the ladies of Friends of Coal Auxiliary have a a larger network they can reach out and find the children that need these toys as well.”
Friends of Coal Ladies’ Auxiliary of Beckley is a local non-profit organization which seeks to contribute to the community in various ways. Additional information on programs and events, as well as merchandise and apparel, can be found at the Friends of Coal Ladies’ Auxiliary of Beckley website.
Friends of Coal Ladies’ Auxiliary of Beckley hosts Christmas giveaway
