‘Fill Santa’s Bag,’ CareCuts boosted by strong Sedgefield donation spirit
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Among Sedgefield subdivision residents who donated toys for Christmas to Isaiah 117 were, from left, Summer Reznicek and her mom, Becca Reznicek, Sally and Tom Hilton, Sharon Meade and Bonnie Smith. - Photos by Alan Sloan
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Ewan siblings with Santa, from left, are Justin, 3, Lydia, 5, and Clara, 6. - Photos by Alan Sloan
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Santa brings a smile to the face of Henley Faddis, 4. - Photos by Alan Sloan
Helping disadvantaged children, many who are wards of the state, and the homeless of Knox County with Christmas spirit giving, Sedgefield subdivision celebrated its two holiday donation drives with a gathering of residents Saturday afternoon, Dec. 16.
While the highlight was Sedgefield’s small children getting to share their wish list with Santa, event hosts also sought to add more toys, clothes and blankets to its collection in the subdivision’s pool parking lot.
Fill Santa’s Bag
In the early 1990s “when I moved into the Segefield neighborhood, I had three small children, and I felt that in the neighborhood we were blessed with a lot,”said Jane Cade, founder of Fill Santa’s Bag who revived her original idea last year. “They had what they needed. And so I wanted to start teaching my children that at Christmas time you also have to help others and give to others. So I came up with Fill Santa’s Bag.
“We pick a charity and we bring new toys for that charity to give to the less fortunate kids,” she added.
This year’s sponsor is Isaiah 117. Last year’s sponsor was ChildHelp.
“This is such a tremendous help because we have so many children in state custody right now, and they don’t get to wake up to presents on Christmas morning in a warm home,” said Andrea Townsend, program director for Isaiah 117 House that serves Knox, Anderson, Campbell, Roane, Scott, Union and Morgan counties. “So these presents and these necessities that they’re donating is absolutely amazing. And they’re going to be absolutely thrilled to wake up and to get these presents.”
CareCuts
Meanwhile, new and “gently used” clothes, along with new and gently used blankets, were piled up — also thanks to Sedgefield donations — in the parking lot Saturday.
That effort is led by CareCuts — the brainchild of Marti Baker, owner of Salon La Rue — giving haircuts and a lot more “to serve the homeless and the unhomed of Knox County,” said Janette Bergin, CareCuts board member. “We start with a haircut, and then we provide mentoring, medical, showers, clean clothes, food, jobs to help them get off the street.
“And so far, we’ve gotten between 450 and 500 people off the street,” she added. “And we started in April of 2016. We receive no federal or state funding. We are simply empowered by the donations and the kindness of the Greater Knoxville community.”
To donate to CareCuts, visit www.CareCutsKnox.org
