Dec 2, 2011

PMI Leads Team of Donors to Make Christmas Bright For 10 Joplin Families Who Survived May Tornado

Thomas and Samantha are among the lucky families who made it out of the tornado without injury to themselves or their four children. Although they lost their former home, this Holiday season couldn’t get much better for them: They are one of ten Joplin families to receive the keys to a brand-new home made possible through the efforts of the Tulsa Habitat for Humanity, Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity, thousands of volunteers and donations from around the world.

In a matter of a few weeks, Ten for Joplin raised over $800 thousand in cash and donations of manpower and materials to enable the Habitat for Humanity teams to construct 10 brand-new houses in just 16 days. From small apartments and rental homes that were completely destroyed on that devastating May day, the ten families were able to spend a real Thanksgiving in their new homes.

“Now we can make our own traditions, and our children will grow up in a home that belongs to us,” said Samantha. “We are so fortunate and so thankful for the generosity and selflessness that made this possible. This is a Holiday season we will always remember.”

And all that good fortune continues for the Ten for Joplin families.

On Dec. 2, Thomas and Samantha – along with their four children ranging in age from 6 months to 5 years old – will join with the nine other families as guests of the Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, MO, to receive an abundant array of Christmas trimmings to fill their new home for the Holidays. A “mini mall” is being set up in the Visitors’ Center at the Chapel, where families can “shop” for the makings of a perfect Christmas setting. 

Spearheaded by Precious Moments, Inc. employees, more than a dozen businesses joined forces to provide pre-lighted trees, beautiful ornaments, Precious Moments and Pipka Christmas figurines and ornaments. Each family will also receive the award-winning Precious Moments Nativity set, and a gift card they can use to buy gifts and food for the celebration.

Precious Moments, Inc. headquartered in Carthage and suburban Chicago, and Roman Inc., Addison, IL – major gift companies; Yuleloggers and Bright Christmas Dreamers – Joplin collector clubs for Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments; and Hayneedle.com, major online gift and home décor resource, donated a tree for each family, and hundreds of ornaments. Additional contributions came from:
Phoenix International Freight Services, Inc.
Bukaty Corporation of Kansas City
UBS Financial Services Inc., Kansas City office
The Whitlock Company, Webb City, MO
NeoVox Global, LLC. new Carthage business
TEAM PM, the employees of Precious Moments, Inc. Precious Moments Supporting Foundation

“This has been one of the most rewarding experiences we have ever shared,” said Sarah Wells, PMI Human Resources Director, who acted as the team leader for the Dec. 2 event. “It took the commitment of every company and every volunteer to put this day together. Now, we eagerly await the joy of sharing when the families arrive at the Chapel. We know it will be a joyous occasion for each of us.”

Precious Moments, Inc. is the owner and marketer of the Precious Moments artwork of Samuel J. Butcher, which includes the award-winning Precious Moments Collection, and the inspiring Precious Moments Chapel. The brand is licensed to more than 50 companies worldwide. In early 2011, PMI added the art of famed Old World Santa artist Pipka to its brand umbrella. For additional information regarding the Dec. 2 Ten for Joplin event, contact Terri Heckmaster, (417) 359-3054, or Sarah Wells (417) 359-3024. ##