McCONNELSVILLE, Ohio – The Morgan Community Fund (MCF) hosted more than 150 children and their families on Saturday, Dec. 14, for a free event designed to provide local families with new holiday experiences and to celebrate the spirit of giving exemplified by a longtime Morgan County resident.
When Hazel Syphers passed away in 2014, she left a planned gift to the Morgan Community Fund to provide a wrapped present to children who might not otherwise experience that Christmas joy. Now, leaders of the local community fund not only fulfill Hazel’s wishes, but they partner with the local business community and others to spread Christmas joy to even more families throughout the county. Each December, Morgan County children are treated to a free movie, goodies and other activities through this holiday event.
Saturday’s activities included two free showings of the movie, “Elf,” at the Twin City Opera House; visits with Buddy the Elf and Jovie; and an opportunity to enjoy art and music activities and take-home crafts through the Crafty Bus, sponsored by the Morgan Community Fund in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO). The Crafty Bus, a nonprofit based in Athens County, brings arts and music activities to children throughout southeast Ohio who might not otherwise have such opportunities.
The Morgan Community Fund is also honoring Hazel’s wish by adopting local families, with children receiving wrapped Christmas gifts and their families a complete holiday meal.
“Thanks to the generosity of donors like Hazel and many others, we are able to invest in projects and programs that provide increased opportunities for Morgan Countians of all ages,” said Kelsey Wells, MCF committee member. “Our goal is to create communities that people want to call home, both today and for generations to come.”
MCF, one of FAO’s 15 affiliate foundation partners, was established in 2008 to develop and grow permanent charitable resources that provide continuous investment in Morgan County.
“Hazel’s story provides a wonderful example of the meaningful and lasting impact one person’s generosity can have on the lives of others,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO president and CEO. “Just think of the number of children in Morgan County who have received a wrapped Christmas present over the last 10 years who might not have otherwise received gifts – all because of Hazel’s simple bequest.”
To learn more about MCF and how to make your own legacy gift to benefit Morgan County, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/Morgan, email Morgan@ffao.org or call 740.753.1111.