Gifting holiday joy and inspiring a culture of giving

Each December, hundreds of Morgan County children are treated to a holiday experience – thanks to a woman they never met.

When 100-year-old Hazel Syphers passed away in 2014, she left a series of gifts in her will, including a planned gift to the Morgan Community Fund, one of FAO’s affiliate foundation partners, to provide a wrapped present to children who might not otherwise experience that Christmas joy.

Inspired by her generosity and committed to honoring her legacy, the Morgan Community Fund not only fulfills Hazel’s wishes, but in recent years, its committee members have galvanized the local business community to spread the joy further. The Hazel Syphers Christmas Wish for Kids program provides Morgan County children Christmas gifts and goodies, a holiday movie at the community’s historic Twin City Opera House and a magical day in McConnelsville.

Hazel’s legacy lives on in the children of Morgan County, especially during a holiday season made a little brighter by her love, and a growing community of givers inspired by her generous heart.