Mike Wolanin | The Republic Jennifer Brown, left, and her son Alex smile after he grabbed the Santa hat off the head of Columbus Shawn McNealy on the annual Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund distribution day at the Cheer Fund building in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022.
When Columbus Fire Chief Andy Lay walked into the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund headquarters Saturday for delivery day, he began feeling a bit frustrated.
“The operation has become too efficient,” Lay said. “I came here to work, but there’s nothing for me to do. They already have everything covered.”
Each of the over 50 volunteers in the Verhulst St. headquarters that included firefighters, family members and other volunteers had specific jobs in specific work areas already assigned to them when they walked in the door.
Past leaders have long maintained that every new generation comes up with improvements in Cheer Fund operations.
After spending the last three years in the Cheer Fund’s first permanent location on the east side of the Columbus Air Park, co-chairman Cory Hampton said the latest efficiencies include finding the ideal placement for storage shelves, which has opened up more space to allows faster loading of bicycles.
“We’ve also finally finished our restrooms and kitchenette,” Hampton said. “Our building is finally done. The only thing left is to build a display cabinet for our vintage items.”
The deliveries began at 8 a.m. The first driver in the first of two lines was long-time volunteer Mike Jaggers, accompanied by his daughter, Shannon Krebbs. The two had arrived at 5:30 a.m. – two-and-a-half hours before the doors opened for the volunteer drivers.
“I just love to see the kids smile,” Jaggers said when asked why he continues to volunteer year after year for Bartholomew County’s oldest existing charity that relies totally on public donations.
In the first position of the second line was Trish England, who was accompanied by her daughter, Bailey, and her daughter-in-law, Lisa. This was the 13th consecutive year that Trish England has delivered for the Cheer Fund, she said.
“My kids would not have had as much of a Christmas when they were young if it wasn’t for the Cheer Fund,” England said. “They’re all grown up now, but we keep returning to give back and make sure other children have a merry Christmas.”
For the past five years, co-chairman Justin Sims has stationed himself outside on every delivery day, braving the cold and often wet weather to greet and guide volunteer drivers. Since all drivers are asked to remain in their vehicles, Sims is now one of the few who gets time to socialize with the volunteers.
“It gives me the chance to tell drivers how much we appreciate them getting up and coming out on a Saturday morning, because we can’t do this without them,” Sims said. “While some people have done this for years, I get to meet first-time deliverers. They really don’t know what to expect, so it’s my job to give them the lowdown of what to expect.”
The holiday spirit
Once the drivers came through a candy-cane archway, they found themselves in a holiday world that included several strings of lights, giant ornaments hanging from the ceiling, light projections and illuminated wreathes.
Many small children marveled at the sight of Jolly Old St. Nick, whose visit was made by special arrangement with Chuck Luedeman. Santa said many young kids seem so surprised and amazed to see him that all they could do is smile and either waive or just stare in wonder. Kris Kringle did make a few deliveries himself while standing on top of a sparkling fire engine.
There was one other thing that fascinated both children and adults, Wilson said.
“We have some sort of device that creates some type of bubbly snow mixture,” the Columbus Fire Dept. spokesman said. “If you are here, you can’t help but have the Christmas spirit inside you.”
A number of volunteers said they couldn’t help smiling as they watched the Hollywood-style snow falling from the rafters.
Since CFD firefighters have to spend long shifts away from their families, their spouses and children are urged to make volunteering for delivery day a family event. Spending a few minutes talking to kids of different ages shows contrasting understanding of the long-established charity.
While Olivia Brown worked with her mother to distribute bags of candy, the six-year-old daughter of firefighter Jeff Brown wasn’t quite sure how to explain the purpose of the Cheer Fund. But Olivia has no problems letting others known that she wants a Hatchimal Mystery Egg, a big candy cane, and – most of all – her Daddy home from the firehouse for Christmas.
At age 9 , Raylee Goff had no trouble expressing her understanding of what was going on. A passenger in one of the delivery vehicles, Raylee explained she and her family were there to “spread the cheer of Christmas to families who don’t have enough money for presents to celebrate.”
And then, there’s 15-year-old Case Smith, who has been volunteering for the Cheer Fund ever since he was old enough to carry a box. The son of firefighter Dan Smith admits the music, decorations and other holiday displays don’t excite him as much as they did when he was a small boy.
“But you never stop experiencing the joy of giving to the less fortunate,” Case Smith said. “Such a good feeling to have. It’s definitely a tradition for my family to come here every year and help other people. “
After 92 years, the Cheer Fund has plenty of stories that touch the heart, Chief Lay said. For example, a young girl once came in who wanted to donate almost every toy she owned to other kids who weren’t as fortunate as herself.
Lays also told the story of a woman still grieving from the death of her mother who donated a unique doll.
“She told us it was one of her mother’s final wishes that we donate the doll to the Cheer Fund,” the fire chief said.
Quick and efficient
Inflation, as well as the devastating impact of two hurricanes on Florida’s citrus crops, did prevent the charity from distributing fresh fruit this year.
But in all other aspects, the Cheer Fund is doing well enough that they were able to provide gift boxes to the children being cared for by Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, co-chairman Ben Noblitt said.
It took less that 90 minutes to deliver 960 gift boxes Saturday, Noblitt said. That’s quite different than when firefighters worked well into the afternoon not that long ago, he said.
While Cheer Fund chairmen must be firefighters, Noblitt has long maintained that the holiday charity is not an exclusive CFD program.
“It is a community program,” Noblitt said “Just look at the line of vehicles that extended (about four blocks) out to Middle Road. Almost half of the Cheer Fund’s board of directors are civilians. In Bartholomew County, the Cheer Fund is everybody’s charity.”
While many describe the Cheer Fund as tradition, the fire chief takes it a step further.
“The Cheer Fund has become a part of Columbus,” Lay said. “A part that everyone should be proud of.”
Even with the best planning, unexpected circumstances can prevent parents and guardians from being home when Cheer Fund gift boxes are delivered.
If you still don’t have the gift box you were expecting, Cheer Fund co-chairman Cory Hampton says someone from his charity will be contacting you over the next week.
“We know who they are and how to reach them because we still have their paperwork,” Hampton explained.
In the past, the parent or guardian is usually asked to pick up the gift box or boxes at Fire Station #1 at the corner of 11th and Washington streets. If they are unable to pick them up, Hampton said the Cheer Fund will arrange a delivery.
