Like a finely-tuned machine, dozens of volunteers took to their designated stations Friday, sorting and packing items and preparing to deliver more than 160 Christmas baskets to local families and individuals needing help this holiday season.
The annual Lions Club project runs like clockwork today, with everyone knowing his role and all working efficiently as a team.
But things didn’t always operate quite so smoothly, recalls volunteer Sandy Shepphard.
Shepphard, who is credited with devising the assembly-line process used by today’s volunteers, remembers when it used to take seven to eight hours to sort and stock all of the gift baskets.
‘I came to help out one day about 10 years ago, and now I’m still doing it,? says Shepphard. ‘It took us a long time back then. I figured there had to be a better way.?
The ‘better way? turned out to be Shepphard’s assembly-line method which accomplishes the task in about one-third the time it took in the early years.
With the work flow more clearly understood and everyone’s duties well defined, the process now runs with surprising efficiency.
Each canned or dry food item is separated into ‘like? categories, and then placed into the boxes which are destined for specific families.
While the volunteers at the CERC Building work to sort and stock the boxes, Lions Club members are out at the Lake Orion Kroger, purchasing perishable items like milk, butter, eggs and the customary holiday turkeys, all for inclusion in the baskets.
Finally, the volunteers add the finishing touches to the gift baskets — the toys.
Each toy is age- and gender-specific, carefully placed in the appropriate boxes for designated recipient families.
Despite the magnitude of the undertaking, in terms of dollars, goods and the countless hours put in by volunteers, the consensus is that being able to help the less fortunate in the community is a worthy investment.
‘This is just an awesome undertaking,? says Shepphard. ‘It’s amazing what the Lions and all of the volunteers are able to accomplish.?
She acknowledged all of the volunteers, particularly the young children and teens who learn the value of volunteerism and helping others through their participation.
One young volunteer may have summed it up best.
‘I like to do this because it’s nice for other people,? said 8-year-old Hunter Schrah, a student in Renee Salewski’s class. ‘And it’s fun, too.?