By Drew Johnson
You’ve seen the trees around Vicksburg, Schoolcraft, and Climax. They pop up towards the end of November and are filled with ornaments and names of loved ones—ornaments and names that represent a donation to South County Community Service’s annual Trees of Life campaign. But did you know that they also help support low-income families and seniors during the holidays and represent a lifeline for our neighbors who need help with food, housing, and transportation (and more) throughout the year?
Our Trees of Life campaign began years ago, long before I started at SCCS. It was a way for people to memorialize or honor a loved one and give the gifts of food and housing with those less fortunate. The trees originally stood inside our building on Main Street in Vicksburg (now known as McElvain House). But as we expanded, so did their reach. This year we will have trees at the Vicksburg Historical Society, Vicksburg High School, Schoolcraft Ladies Library, Lawrence Memorial Library in Climax, and in front of our building on Spruce St.
If you want to honor a loved one with a gift to SCCS this holiday, please fill out the form on the front page of our website. You’ll be able to pick an ornament and choose which tree you’d like it hung on. Money raised from the Trees of Life campaign goes back into our Emergency Assistance program, which provides assistance to low-income households in the form of payments for housing and utility assistance, propane deliveries, transportation, medication, and more. This is a great way to ensure that there is a safety net year-round for all residents of our service area.
When I asked Danna Downing, the former executive director at SCCS, why Trees of Life is so popular, she says that from a practical perspective it’s a great gift for far-flung families—many of our donations come from people who want to give gifts in honor of someone and want to be able to show the recipient what good work comes from their present. She also says that it “demonstrates the spirit of the holidays,” and I couldn’t agree more.
Drew Johnson lives in Kalamazoo and is the Director at South County Community Services. He has a small quarter acre homestead with chickens, bees, and hops (and more!), a wonderful wife, and three energetic children. He can be reached at 649-2901 or ajohnson@southcountycs.com
For more information on South County Community Services, please check out our Facebook page at facebook.com/southcountycs or visit southcountycs.com.
South County Senior Center for Active Living Schedule
TUESDAYS
- Walking Group 10 AM (Indoors at VUMC)
- Chair Yoga 10:30-11:30 AM ($5)
- Beginner Pickleball 1-2 PM
WEDNESDAYS
- Cardio Drumming 12 PM
- (Registration Required)
- Walking Group 1 PM (Indoors at VUMC)
THURSDAYS
- Coffee Hour 12-1 PM
- FUNctional Fitness 2-2:45 PM
SPECIAL EVENTS
- What’s so great about Advent? 12/10, & 12/17, 11-11:50 AM
- Blood Pressure Clinic 12/19, 1:30-3:30PM
- Resin Jewelry 12/10, 3-5 PM (Registration Required) $5
- Music in the Sanctuary 12/17, 6:00-7:30 PM
For art classes, register with Vicksburg Arts at 269-200-2223.
For questions about the South County Senior Center or to Register for Cardio Drumming, call Sherri Martin (SCSC Coordinator) at 269-720-0974 or email: smartin@southcountycs.com
Classes and Special Events are free unless otherwise noted.
