by Geoff Fox
It’s almost time for people to start registering for Christmas For Others (CFO) but there will be a new person in charge of the longtime charitable effort for the families of Hancock.
Debbie Murphy is retiring from the Christmas outreach program and handing the reigns to Debbie Cohill and Interfaith Service Coalition.
Murphy has been in charge of Christmas for Others for the last 33 years.
She said she is transferring CFO to Interfaith Service Coalition with Cohill and Autumn Williamson coordinating it.
After thought and consideration on Murphy’s part, organizers determined that the portion of the community that Christmas for Others serves is aligns with the clients that Interfaith Service Coalition provides services for.
“It was a natural fit,” Cohill said.
Due to COVID, Cohill said there were some changes because of the inability to get out and also trying to keep people safe.
This year, Interfaith Service Coalition will meet with each person for sign up.
“The reason that’s so significant is that we have a lot of new people in our community who don’t know about Interfaith,” she said.
Cohill said a lot of those people don’t know about the Chromebook program, they aren’t aware of SNAP applications or energy assistance applications, or Maryland State Homeowner Tax Credit for low income residents.
In-person registration for the Christmas charity will give those in need the opportunity to learn what they are eligible for to cover other needs.
Senior citizens will still be eligible for Christmas for Others.
Registration for Christmas for Others will take place Wednesday, October 9 and Wednesday, October 23 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Martha’s House. Cohill said people could contact her if they can’t make those dates and times.
When it comes to donations and fundraising, there will be fundraising drives through mailers to churches. Toys are purchased by sponsors or by financial donation.
In the past, Christmas for Others had relied on donating food for distribution.
After COVID, they decided to move food giving to the form of Food Lion gift cards, Murphy said.
That will continue as it allows recipients to pick out the foods they’d rather have.
People will still be getting clothing certificates, as well.
Murphy said she was sure there might be modifications after the season and fine-tuning it along the way.
“The current system has worked so well, I can’t see any reason to change that,” Cohill said.
Distribution of holiday gifts and other items will take place on December 11 at the Community Center.
Murphy retires from CFO
Murphy is retiring from heading Christmas for Others after 33 years, saying she thinks it’s time to step away. The two ladies who have helped Murphy with the toys side of CFO have also decided to retire.
“I’m not saying, ‘Bah hum bug, I’m finished with Christmas’ or anything,” she said with a laugh, “but I have grandchildren now. Time to move on to that.”
Murphy added there have been so many crossovers with Cohill where they’d contact each other about people applying or suggesting people who might benefit from programs.
There was sometimes confusion over the years between the two Debbies, Cohill said. Murphy added that at one time it was three Debbies — when Debbie Wheeler was treasurer.
Murphy always thought it was a positive experience with the “wonderful volunteers.” She credited those who have conducted registrations, toy organization, food unloaders, food sorters, food packers, and those on the distribution day when people from the churches, and later the Hancock and Southern Fulton Interact Clubs, who would come and help.
“I think it was very humbling for them to see the amount of food, the need, and they were always signing up and talking about coming back and wanting to do it again,” Murphy said of the Interact Clubs.
Murphy remembered her husband, Dan, taking his old fire engine to deliver to some of the families.
“It was pretty emotional to see the little kids running out to the fire truck they were so excited,” she said.
Murphy said they didn’t dress up as Santa, but it was a good experience for the kids.
While she’s retiring, Murphy said she would be in the background, especially the first year of the transition.
“I don’t look to be actively involved,” she said.
She said she appreciated Cohill assuming the additional responsibility of the Christmas giving program.
Prior to Murphy, Ray Rogers, who was pastor at the Lutheran Church, was in charge of Christmas For Others.
When she took over, Murphy said CFO basically gave away whatever food was donated, which she didn’t feel was very Christmassy.
“We started a little more fundraising until we could buy meat,” she said. “They would get cookies, and cakes, and candy. It’s Christmas, everybody deserves something a little more festive than a can of sauerkraut.”
Cohill said Murphy should be commended for her work with CFO work in the community.
“That’s a long run and it was a successful run,” Cohill said of Murphy’s three decades at the helm.