Special to the 

Clinton Journal

CLINTON — Samaritan Room recently bought 320 showes to provide to needy DeWitt County children.

DeWitt County Samaritan Room started in the early 1980s.   Sue Calvert, coordinator of the Angel Tree program, began volunteering with Samaritan Room in 1991 and became director in 1993-present.   

Samaritan Room is a 100 percent volunteer, charitable 501C3 organization in conjunction with the DeWitt County Friendship Center.

Samaritan Room is a year round program providing:

•$5000 tennis shoes in August, 

•$1000 medication assistance to elderly, through the Friendship Center, 

•$25,000 new coats, clothing to children from area schools.  

•Samaritan Room also organized an annual holiday program until 2016, the  “Angel Tree,”  providing almost $100,000 worth of gifts to children at Christmas.  

•Samaritan Room’s holiday project, Angel Tree, is reliant on fundraisers, memorials, area multi-church involvement and the generosity of our community.  No businesses or individuals are solicited for giving.  

•Samaritan Room works in conjunction with Walmart’s “Shop with a cop and firefighter” with referrals based on level of need.  

In  2017, significant changes are underway.  Because CIEDC (Community Action) is no longer able to screen applicants, Samaritan Room will work exclusively with DeWitt County Schools, under the direction of Unit 15 Superintendent Curt Nettles.  

Samaritan Room will serve as a resource to area school staff, who identify children in need of coats, shoes and clothing.      Needy children in DeWitt County will be eligible for the new program, replacing the former Angel Tree.

Samaritan Room’s Clinto Walmart shopping event for needy children in DeWitt County is schedulded for Tuesday, Dec. 5, from  8 a.m.-9 p.m.  

With the help of Nathen Vock, Clinton Walmart Manager, screened parents of children living below poverty level will be allowed to select approved gifts (toys, teen requests, clothing,) based upon the donations Samaritan Room receives.   Ther minimum goal is $20 per child. Some 450-500 children  were served by the former Angel Tree annually.   

Parents only will be allowed to shop for their child’s needs, allowing some autonomy in gift selection.  All purchases will have tags removed and bar codes erased to prevent unnecessary returns. 

The new program is user friendly and much easier on volunteers.   This will also help reduce misuse of the program and decrease the manpower/hours needed to run the program.   

Calvert reports a positive response from churches and organizations.   Donations may be mailed c/o 

SAMARITAN ROOM 

HOLIDAY PROJECT

P.O. Box 258

Clinton, IL 61727

Or,

Hand delivered to the First National Bank & Trust lobby or drive-through during normal business hours.

Samaritan Room will need help with area churches, giving trees, fundraisers and assistance on shopping event day.  

Contact

suecalvert13@gmail.com  

Farmer City, Weldon and Mansfield is now a separate program.   The   Farmer City program is smaller and will still function as before.  Samaritan Room will communicate on all referrals, applicants and business.

If you live in this area, please contact Lynda Harman at harman.lynda@yahoo.com

“Sue, I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate these shoes.  I am a single mom, but I work hard to take care of my child.  I know that times are changing and we can’t expect you to fulfill our every need.   I work here in Clinton, and get frustrated with people I work with who get assistance from Samaritan Room and think you need to fulfill their every need.   I know I need some help, but I am very proud that I have the ability to work and provide for my child, too.   If there was a balance and everyone thought like this, there wouldn’t be a problem,” said a women in need of shoes from the program.