Goodfellows food project distributes 456 boxes

Frank and Mary Pierce, the son and wife of the late Dr. William F. Pierce Jr., who was in charge of the program on his own for many years, lent a hand packing food boxes at the annual event. [Click to enlarge]

Ray Lowrance and Ben Reagan help pack boxes of food for needy families as Sheila Lowrance looks on. Kiwanis members raised the number of boxes distributed through its annual Dr. William F. Pierce Jr. Goodfellows food-box distribution project this year. The 2009 event distributed 456 boxes early Tuesday, Dec. 22. [Click to enlarge]

Over 100 volunteers took time from their busy holiday schedules to make a difference in the lives of area residents on Monday evening when the Dyersburg Kiwanis Club packaged food boxes in its annual Dr. William F. Pierce Jr. Goodfellows food-box distribution project.

Though Kiwanis members lead and organize the Goodfellows distribution, the club is quick to call the event a community project. The help of other service organizations, churches, businesses and residents is both welcomed and greatly appreciated.

"I don't know (another time) when so many organizations come together to help fellow citizens of Dyer County in a time of need," said Kiwanis President Shari Heathcott.

The club raised the number of boxes prepared and distributed this year to help area residents hit hardest by the current economic conditions, filling 456 boxes with food to be delivered by employees of the Dyer County Highway and the City of Dyersburg Street departments.

"We, as a club, thought it was very important to increase the number of boxes we distributed this year," said Kiwanis member Marc Thompson. "Since the economy and loss of jobs has proved to be a real problem, we realized we wanted to step up and help be part of the solution."

Kiwanis member Joe Enoch helps Mary and Frank Pierce fill a food box at the Kiwanis Club's annual Dr. William F. Pierce Jr. Goodfellows food-box distribution packing on Monday evening. [Click to enlarge]

Even with the increase, there were more applications than food boxes available this year.

Several groups came out to help the Kiwanis members on a large assembly line as Christmas music filled the Family Life Center at the Dyer County Fairgrounds. Participating organizations include the DHS Key Club, Boy Scouts, Security Bank, Three Oaks Leadership, and Three Oaks National Junior Honors Society.

Mary Pierce, the wife of the late Dr. William F. Pierce; their son, Frank, and his two children were also in attendance to help pack the boxes.

"It was fantastic to see the Pierce family here," said Kiwanis member Danny Walden. "You could tell they have the same passion for helping others as their husband, father, and grandfather, Dr. William F. Pierce, did."

"Nothing feels more like the spirit of Christmas than helping those less fortunate," said Security Bank volunteer Mary Beasley. "(The) Kiwanis Goodfellows program makes sure over 450 families will get to have a good Christmas."