By Elizabeth Cook

elizabeth.cook@salisburypost.com

Barry Hill signed up to help the Rowan County Christmas Bureau because he wanted to give back to the community in some small way.

As he helped families apply for help with their children’s Christmas gifts, he became acutely aware of how much need exists in the community.

“It ushered in a sense of Thanksgiving. There but for the grace of God go I,” said Hill.

The application process also helped him get past the commercialism of the Christmas season. “Christmas is supposed to be a season of giving — being part of something bigger than yourself,” Hill said. Fielding requests for help gave him the right focus, he said.

The Rowan County United Way, which coordinates the Rowan County Christmas Bureau, is signing up volunteers now to help during this year’s application days — Nov. 6 and 7 and Dec. 5.

The Christmas Bureau brings together several programs that offer families help during the holidays in the form of toys, clothing, food, other gifts or vouchers. The programs include the Salvation Army Angel Tree, the Salisbury Post Christmas Happiness Fund, Toys for Tots, Operation Santa and Project Santa.

Using a common form, volunteers take applications at the J.F. Hurley YMCA at designated dates and times. Once approved, the requests are assigned to the appropriate agencies.

Hill, who sells insurance with Fisher-Greene Insurance Agency, said he was impressed with the seamless process. “It’s a way to pull these groups together to meet a common need.”

Jeanie Moore, head of the Christmas Bureau, said volunteers are critical to the effort’s success.

“Through the dedicated service of these volunteers, we are able to leverage the goods and services of our United Way agencies and collaborating partners to ensure that many families in our community enjoy the Christmas season,” Moore said. “Likewise, our volunteers are blessed from the experience of giving to others.”

That was true for Miriam Ramirez, another Christmas Bureau volunteer. Ramirez said the degree of need surprised her. “Most of the people that come in ask for clothes for their kids,” she said.

Ramirez knew the bureau needed bilingual volunteers like her if it was to help the county’s Spanish-speaking population as well as others.

“I just wanted to be able to speak their language and reassure them that the Salvation Army was there for their children for Christmas,” she said.

Ramirez, executive director of Capstone Recovery, said she was happy to help the Christmas Bureau and even brought along another young woman to help last year. “She loved it, the giving to the community,” Ramirez said. And she especially enjoyed seeing children’s eyes shine.

Volunteers can sign up to help a few hours a day or all day. Here are the dates and times:

Nov. 6 —  8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Nov. 7 — 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dec. 5 — 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be a training session for volunteers at 8 a.m. or 30 minutes before the shift starts each day before taking applications. The last shift will wrap up a half hour later than the stated intake times.

A snack or light lunch will be provided for volunteers compliments of Rowan County United Way.

To volunteer, please call the United Way at 704-633-1802 or email Bob Lippard, director of the United Way, at blippard@rcunitedway.org.