Let's end the year in a great way: with gratitude.
Christmas miracle: Juanita Duncan had hoped for a miracle, but received more than she’d dare to dream.
She is co-manager of Manna From Heaven Food pantry, the all-volunteer organization that operates out of a weathered storefront at 607 S. Western Ave. At Thanksgiving, with bills and hunger as ferocious as ever, the pantry was $6,000 short on its yearly fundraising goal of $14,000. If the shortfall couldn’t be raised in a month, Duncan feared a shut-down of the pantry, which serves a critical need for thousands of south-enders.
As she told me at the time, “It doesn’t look good for next year.”
Her forecast has changed dramatically. Next year looks abundant, more than ever in the pantry’s history — thanks for generous readers.
The pantry has been deluged with contributions. Duncan has had the flu, so she has fallen behind a bit with bookkeeping. But so far, she has counted donations of an astounding $30,000.
That’s right. The contributions cover this year, next year and much of 2019.
“It was over and above what we need,” Duncan says, her voice filled with wonder. “It was overwhelming. And the donations are still coming in."
And that’s not all. The no-frills operation had fretted over a failing freezer. But a Peoria church (it requests anonymity here) furnished the pantry with a new freezer.
(That's not to say you can't help further, as hunger is always a need. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to Manna Outreach Ministries, P.O. Box 6432, Peoria, IL 61601-6432.)
Duncan — who wants to stress to would-be thieves that no money is kept on site — is floored by the remarkable goodwill by donors.
“We would love to shout your names individually from the housetop so your neighbors, co-workers, and friends will know the person or persons they share their space with when they are in your presence,” she says. “We say 'thank you' from the very depths of our hearts. It just proves that even in a world that seems to have forgotten its neighbor, there are wonderful people like you, who believe that their neighbor is not just the family next door but those who live on the south end of Peoria too. You have touched a group of people you may never meet.
“If we got you a thank you card to match the size of your generosity, it wouldn’t fit in your mailbox.”
Binkley spirit: The Jimmy Binkley spirit keeps growing every year.
For years, reader generosity used to help support the annual Jimmy Binkley Christmas Party for Seniors. Now, almost three years after his death, donations are fueling a network of yuletide programs and efforts.
I already told you about the main party, for 200 nursing-home residents at American Legion Post 979. Donors supplied stuffed animals and gifts, Peoria Elks Lodge 20 provided lunch and multiple entertainers lent their talents. As always, it was great.
Meanwhile, though, reader kindness has overwhelmed West Peoria City Hall (the donation drop-off point) and the city's garage (the storage site). For that help, we offer a special thanks to Mayor Jim Dillon, an old friend of Binkley's, and Henry Strube, the street-department manager who piled up the mountains of gifts — including an amazing 2,000-plus stuffed animals.
So, in addition to the traditional bash, contributions provided the following:
*Gifts and stuffed animals for three off-site parties with more than 200 guests: Rosewood Care Center in East Peoria (featuring Higher Ground, a guitar ensemble from First Baptist Church of Peoria), Snyder Village in Metamora (featuring singers from Corn Stock Theatre) and Fondulac Rehabilitation and Health Care in East Peoria (featuring singers from Bradley University). Some of these events featured yours truly warbling Jimmy's signature song, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart," during which my pathetic croaking was (thankfully) drowned out by the old-timers' exuberant voices.
• More than 100 stuffed animals for an in-house party at Liberty Village in Peoria.
• Gifts and stuffed animals for 20 moms and 20 children at the shelter at the South Side Mission.
• Gifts for 60 men at the Peoria Rescue Mission.
• Gifts and stuffed animals for 60 women and children at the emergency shelter at Dream Center Peoria.
• Stuffed animals for 200 adults and children visiting the Dream Center's Hope Store.
• Gifts for six families, including 29 children, who fell through the cracks of social-service agencies.
• Stuffed animals for hundreds of hospitalized children.
That's impressive. No one can ever replace Jimmy Binkley, but this growing tradition makes Christmas extra-special.
For all of that, and for an even better 2018, I offer thanks to all of you. Happy New Year.
PHIL LUCIANO is a Journal Star columnist. He can be reached at pluciano@pjstar.com, http://ift.tt/1mNJa4v and (309) 686-3155. Follow him on http://ift.tt/1OGCXUE.
