More than 1,000 children, families, and seniors were provided the gift of hope and joy this past holiday season and represent double the number of people served by Operation Christmas Spirit in 2022 compared to the previous year.
That gift of hope and joy arrived at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department on Christmas Day and came in the form of providing local individuals and families with the resources needed for a holiday celebration, including freshly made holiday meals—often delivered—along with pantry items, freezer goods, clothing, household goods, and an assortment of holiday gifts for children and adults.
The expansion of Operation Christmas Spirit in 2022 was made possible through numerous in-kind donations and the help of a matched gift challenge from Eglseder Wealth Management Group. The financial planning company’s $5,000 challenge grant was matched by other donations totaling $17,280. Additional funding comes from other caring individuals and organizations, including the event sponsor Rotary Club of Easton, Maryland.
Photo: From left, Easton Rotary Community Service Chair, Board Member, and Operation Christmas Spirit Chair Lonnie Green; Eglseder Wealth Mgt. Group Event Coordinator Suzanne Anderson; Eglseder Wealth Mgt. Group Client Services Cindy Wagner and Julie Ashford; Eglseder Wealth Mgt. Group Chief Administrative Officer Chris Gostomski, Easton Rotarian and Operation Christmas Spirit Committee Member Marvin Foster; and Eglseder Wealth Mgt. Group President Scott Eglseder. Below the check is Eglseder Wealth Mgt. Group Chief Comfort Officer Jake Eglseder.
Now as spring arrives, Operation Christmas Spirit is kicking off this year’s fundraising with particular thanks to St. Marks United Methodist Church in Easton, Maryland for their recent $10,000 donation. Eglseder Wealth Management Group will offer another challenge match during this year’s holiday season, with members of the Rotary Club of Easton, Maryland and others continuing to offer generous support of the annual event.
“The number of people we are able to serve is only limited by the resources available to us,” said Cardinal Construction President and Easton Rotarian Board Member Lonnie Green, who chairs a committee of volunteers organizing the event.
Operation Christmas Spirit began in the 1970s as a grassroots effort providing thousands of meals and gifts to individuals and families in need. The annual event took a COVID-19 pause after founder Lord Sheldon Scott, Sr.—affectionately known as “Scotty”—passed away in 2020.
The event was resurrected in 2021 through Green’s leadership and served more than 500 people with food, gifts, clothing, and pantry items at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department on Christmas Day.
“I had the great opportunity to meet Scotty and talk with him just before his passing,” says Eglseder Wealth Management Group President Scott Eglseder.“I was really touched to learn he was a friend to my late brother, Kurt.
“It really gave me a true sense of how kind and thoughtful Scotty was,” Eglseder says. “Now, Lonnie is carrying that same torch of kindness, and I’m grateful to continue working with him and his committee to make sure no one is forgotten during this year’s holiday season.”
Individuals, businesses, and foundations can make a tax-deductible gift with a check payable to the “Easton Rotary Club Youth and Community Fund”. In the memo section, please write “Operation Christmas Spirit” so that Easton Rotary can properly direct your donation to this year’s event and mail your check to the Rotary Club of Easton, P.O. Box 2132, Easton, Md., 21601. You can also learn more by following Operation Christmas Spirit on Facebook.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.