“Wonderful” program spreads holiday joy

It’s been two decades and counting since a pair of Mt. Hood employees decided to bring Christmas joy into the lives of local families by sponsoring them through the MHCC campus through the program, “Something Wonderful.”

Karen McNeal, an instructional administrative assistant, and Rich Duval, youth workforce manager, have aided 828 families since they founded the program in 1994.

“There have been so many families that Something Wonderful was able to help get over the holiday hump, or blues,” said Duval.

“The families that stick with me are the ones who get back on their feet and return the favor by giving back to others in need,” he said. “They know what it’s like to have nothing for their children for Christmas.”

Volunteers sponsor an eligible family – one with an MHCC student or a child enrolled in Head Start – and can provide a happier holiday with donated food, clothes and gift items.

The program’s founders saw a need in the lives of students trying to start a career path and to help their family become financially stable.

This year’s goal is to sponsor 55 families with food, household items (blankets, towels, cleaning supplies, kitchen items, etc.), personal grooming items, warm clothes, children’s toys and more.

Individuals who wish to contribute but can’t support a family on their own may join an MHCC group that already is a sponsor.

“There are multiple departments who join in each year to sponsor multiple families,” Duval said.

The holiday giving program continues to generate great interest, Duval said.

“Each year when we send out the information about Something Wonderful, the staff and student clubs at MHCC are always excited about signing up,” he said.

For more information and to apply, contact McNeal at [email protected] or Duval at [email protected] to apply.

Applications are due at 5 p.m. on Nov. 1.