Some of New Castle’s more vulnerable citizens have spent the past few months making sure that Christmas comes to area children.
Developmental Services Inc. (DSI) clients presented the New Castle Fire Department with a $303 donation Wednesday for the 2015 Shop with a Fireman program. DSI is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that provides services for adults and children with mental, physical and emotional challenges.
“They are trying to be a part of and give back to the community,” said DSI Day Program Manager Regina Blake.
DSI clients and staff members raised $100 in about a month for the Christmas program in 2014. This year, firefighters from the New Castle station stopped by the DSI Washington Street office in September and helped the clients kick off their fundraising efforts.
The men and women at DSI put on a talent show to raise money and they also collected donations during Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 24, Blake said. The New Castle Little Caesars donated three pizzas to DSI so they could host a fundraising pizza party. All told, the DSI clients and staff and their families tripled the amount of money they collected from last year.
Blake said the workshop clients were excited every time they could add money to the donations.
New Castle fire fighters Bobby Sells, David Moore, Fred Thurman and Nathan Peavler represented the NCFD at the check presentation Wednesday. Danny Wayne presented the check on behalf of everyone at DSI.
The fire fighters were impressed by the efforts of the DSI clients to help with their program.
Henry County fire departments accept donations for the Shop with a Fireman program throughout the year. The holiday event is a joint effort between the city, the fire fighters union and county departments to provide a Christmas experience for children in the community who might otherwise go without presents. The program hopes to give each child $150 in gifts. This year’s Shop with a Fireman day is Dec. 12.
For more information on DSI Industries in New Castle, call 765-529-3331.
