Local businesses aid Rainbow Room
When holidays end, need goes on
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

JUDY TVRZ (right) of Texas Home Health checks the list with Keena Berry of Texas Medical Enterprises to be sure all the children will have a merry Christmas.

Tammy Dorsey, admin tech for Child Protective Services and The Rainbow Room, said she was worried going into the Christmas season because there were so many children, so much need.

Each child made out a wish list, and some of the lists would break your heart. Afive-year-old boy wanted Santa to bring him a coat, a blanket and an air mattress.

Many area businesses united to fill those needs.

Judy Tvrz of Texas Home Health called and "adopted" a few children for her employees to go Santa shopping. They received a list with the first names and ages of a few boys and girls, and their very short lists of what they hoped to get for Christmas.

Tvrz said her employees contributed their own money, anywhere from $10 to $200, to fill the first list, and then they asked for more names.

Then Texas Medical Enterprises joined in, and before long, Sonic contributed cash for the effort as well.

Newsboy photos/ Sharon Kerr THE RAINBOW ROOM and Child Protective Services were glad they could fill the "wish lists" for all the children they serve, thanks to many businesses who teamed up to shop for Santa this year.

TVRZ said when she went to the store and the clerk read the list, he began pulling out coupons and arranging special discounts with the manager, who also donated some items for the children.

They made sure the boy who only wanted a coat and warm bed also got some toys, and that the size 16 girl received not only the pair of jeans and pajamas, but also some pretty things to go with them.

"We had so much fun," Tvrz said. "We even asked for a third list. We just wanted to take care of all of them."

"This is the first year we've had so much help," Dorsey said. "People just called us and asked what we needed. We didn't have to go looking for help."

CPS and The Rainbow Room also received support from Mead Westvaco, The Jasper Newsboy, and many more individuals and businesses in Jasper.

The Rainbow Room serves caseworkers who are trying to keep families together. Meeting the needs of the children helps relieve stressful situations. If, as a last resort, CPS has to remove children from a home, they often get out with only the clothes on their back.

The Rainbow Room is stocked with everything a child would need, from newborn to teenager. By law everything must be new; they cannot accept used clothing or toys.

Now that Christmas is over, Dorsey hopes that people will remember that the need goes on and never stops. If anyone has received a gift of toys or clothing or even hygiene items that they don't need, The Rainbow Room is never full.

Donations can be dropped off at 928 Marvin Hancock in Jasper during normal business hours.