Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Church Gives Away Gifts For Christmas
FARMINGTON — Kathy Dimko of Stilwell, Okla., has helped provide gifts for the needy at Christmas time in past years.
This year, though, she was on the receiving end.
“You just don’t know when you are going to be on this side of the table,” Dimko said as she searched through a table of jeans, looking for a pair to fit her 18-year-old son.
“What a blessing this is,” Dimko said.
Her husband, retired from the U.S. Post Office, was diagnosed with lung cancer in August and his medical bills have been more than they expected.
“This is the first time we’ve needed something like this,” Dimko said. “God has provided a different view of the world for us.”
Dimko was one of about 100 families who registered and looked for Christmas presents at the Great Christmas Gift Giveaway sponsored by First Baptist Church of Farmington. All items were free for participants.
Tables in the church’s worship center were loaded with toys, clothes, electronics, furniture, household items and Christmas decorations. The church also gave away door prizes, gift cards and about 85 bags of food. Other members wrapped Christmas presents for free.
A prayer room, with translators available, was set up so church members could pray with families who requested it.
Mike Halbedel and his wife, Paula, coordinated the church’s fourth Give-Away for the area. Halbedel said attendance was down from other years but still some people camped out in their vehicles and tents in the church parking lot the night before the Dec. 6 event.
“Our love for Christ has to come through us to show people we care,” Halbedel said. “We just want to help out others. We’re not getting anything out of this.”
Church members, people from the community and local businesses donated money, food gift cards and merchandise to the Give-Away.
Jackie Reid of Bentonville picked out a Christmas decoration to take home.
“I think it’s great and wonderful,” Reid said. “It helps out a lot.”
Pastor Barry Smith said the church held its first Great Christmas Give-Away five years ago at the height of the recession.
“We knew people were down on their luck,” Smith said, noting he believes it gives people some “dignity” because they can shop on their own for Christmas gifts or items they need.
As families register, they are given tickets to exchange for gifts. Children are given their own ticket so they can pick out something on their own, whether it’s for themselves or a gift to give another person.
This year, families came from western Washington County but also Springdale, Bentonville, Greenland, Centerton, Fayetteville, Bella Vista, Siloam Springs and Oklahoma. Though participation was down, church member Kim Taylor said she was not disappointed.
“I take it as the people who are supposed to be here are here,” Taylor said. “People were able to get more gifts this year.”
She said some families only had one or two members but others were larger. One family, for example, had 10 people in it.