Emergency shelter brought people together
The Christmas season often is touted as the "season for giving." But in reality, the spirit of giving is alive throughout the year whenever and wherever a true need arises.
Such was the case during the past two weeks at Lincolnville and in other communities which went without electricity for a week or more following an ice storm Dec. 10 and 11.
Lincolnville Community Center was designated as an emergency shelter by the office of Marion County Emergency services.
For the first few days, Lincolnville and Lost Springs fire departments provided generators for heat and light.
On Dec. 14, a large FEMA generator was hooked up to provide hot meals and hot water.
City councilman Dawn Kaiser said the city, fire department, and county worked together to get the facility up and running.
At that point, many volunteers from the community got involved to prepare meals and maintain the building.
Kaiser said approximately 50 meals were served three times a day, and one evening, 70 meals were served.
Centre school district provided food which otherwise would have spoiled and been thrown out. Individuals donated bottled water, paper products, and food. Some brought in baking sheets for baking cookies using cookie dough donated by the school district.
People brought in games and other supplies to keep children occupied. Adults played cards or sat around visiting. Some adults brought in laptops with wireless connections to continue working. Others stopped in for a cup of coffee or to inquire on how things were going.
Power was restored to Lincolnville Tuesday evening, but the center remained open Wednesday for those in rural areas still without electricity.
"A lot of people have put forth a lot of effort to keep things going," Kaiser said. "It's a neat thing to see."
