Log in Subscribe

Student organizes food, clothing drive

By MICHELLE HASTINGS - Correspondent
Posted 12/10/20

While it is inevitable that 2020 will be remembered for its many challenges, isn’t there still plenty of good? In challenging times, we must look for the helpers. As Fred Rogers, so eloquently stated, “If you look for the helpers, you’ll know that there is hope.”...

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Student organizes food, clothing drive

Posted

While it is inevitable that 2020 will be remembered for its many challenges, isn’t there still plenty of good? In challenging times, we must look for the helpers. As Fred Rogers, so eloquently stated, “If you look for the helpers, you’ll know that there is hope.”

Chelsea Utz, 10th grader at Community High School, is one of those helpers. With an assist from staff at Complete Family Healthcare in Shelbyville and her great-aunt Betty Joyce Hulan, Chelsea has organized a food and clothing drive to benefit those in need in our community. “After everything going on this year there are many experiencing a harder time than usual. I wanted to help and give back, so I thought about putting together care packages to send out with food and clothing so that there isn’t more for people to worry about this year than they already have,” Chelsea said, of her inspiration to begin the clothing and food drive.

Chelsea’s mother, Julie Barnes, has been a part of Complete Family Healthcare since it began servicing the needs of the Bedford County community in 2017. She’s impressed by Chelsea’s ability to commit to the food/clothing drive efforts while keeping up with her usual endeavors at Community High School — including Key Club, CHS Band, Drama Club, National Thespian Society, and Sophomore class president.

“She has made me enormously proud as a parent. Knowing I’ve instilled values in my child which brought her to act with such love and compassion for others means a lot to me,” Julie said.

“We have had a terrific response from our patients. Many have brought food and clothing,” says Kenda Harrison, FNP-C at Complete Family Healthcare, “I love our patients and feel honored to be entrusted with their care. It is the spirit of helping others that I love most about this time of year. I feel that people look for more opportunities to help their fellow man during the holiday season.”

Chelsea, along with the staff and patients at Complete Family Healthcare, are part of a community of helpers. “I have seen our patients really come together to help out those in need. It reminds me of the very reason I love the holidays – I love the joy in giving and helping out those less fortunate than me,” Jordan Huntley said.

“I love being in an environment that loves to help people get well. So many people here have loving caring hearts. It truly represents the spirit of Christmas and Jesus, the true reason for the season,” Jaley Vincent said.

Complete Family Healthcare is accepting donations of non-perishable food items, and new clothing items of all sizes throughout the holiday season and will continue to do so indefinitely as long as there is a need within the community.