Skip to main content

SHARE reaches out to local families

By
Lori Sorenson

Rock County residents are known for their generosity, and Christmas is the time of year when that spirit shines, according to Luverne volunteer Molly Golla.
Golla has been volunteering with SHARE (Sharing Hearts Are Reaching Everyone) for over 12 years and she said she’s always impressed by local generosity.
“It’s one of the things I love about living in Luverne,” said Golla, who moved here when she married Nate Golla 16 years ago.
Now in its 31st year, the program is again reaching out to local families and seniors who may need help getting through the holidays.
Application forms can be picked up at Glen's Foods, Luverne Post Office, Luverne Public Library, Luverne Community Education, The Laundry Room, Health and Human Services building, Blue Mound Towers, ATLAS, Rock County Food Shelf, Senior Center, Rauk's in Beaver Creek and the Hills Post Office.
The forms allow recipients to request groceries, clothing, toys, diapers, Senior Dining meal tickets or home-delivered meals.
The requests need to be mailed by Nov. 30 to SHARE at PO Box 792, Luverne, MN 56156.
Tax-deductible cash donations to SHARE (which can be mailed to the same address) are used to purchase these gifts and distribute them in time for Christmas.
This year distribution will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the Armory in Luverne.
Golla said SHARE makes the most of matching local people in need with local giving.
“It is completely local,” she said. “That speaks volumes about how much this community cares about its own.”
The volunteer board is comprised of local residents, the donations come from within the community, the gifts are purchased from local merchants, and the recipients must live in Rock County to accept the Christmas items.
Last year SHARE provided for 167 family units, consisting of 207 children and 273 adults for a total of 480 people.
Golla said through the years SHARE has grown and expanded to meet different needs, and in 2012 reached its peak, giving new and used items to more than 600 people.
In the past year SHARE is returning to its original mission of using cash donations to buy new items for holidays.
“After a lot of talking, we decided to move away from used items,” Golla said.
“A lot of churches are filling this need, and we have Sassy Seconds and Redeemed Remnants now … It seems there are other opportunities for used items.”
Information about SHARE can be found on the organization’s Facebook page or by calling Golla at 507-227-9282.

You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.