Simek’s Supports the Kentucky Christmas Program

For more than 2 decades, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in West St. Paul (as well as other Catholic churches in the Twin Cities) have sponsored the Kentucky Christmas Program and more than 10 years ago, Simek’s trucks became the local “wheels” of this program.

The families in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky are among the poorest in the nation; most sharing homes with other families, many not even having the simple necessity of running water. So to be able to enjoy Christmas as many of us do is not a possibility for these families due to their very limited income.

In mid November each year, the parishioners of St. Joseph’s purchase new, unwrapped clothing and toys along with numerous packages of gift wrap and box them up for the trip to Kentucky. The boxes are then loaded into a Simek’s truck, taken out to a farm in the Twin Cities and unloaded by the Bruber family and friends into a semi that takes the boxes to their final destination in Kentucky. Once there, all of the boxes are opened and stacked on the shelves of the free store, where parents can come to pick out gifts for their children and wrap the gifts themselves, allowing them to really feel a part of the giving process. The children are also allowed to do the same for their parents.

This program allows many families to enjoy Christmas in a way that normally wouldn’t be possible for them.

Simek’s is proud to be a part of the Kentucky Christmas Program. If you would like more information, or to donate new toys or clothing, please contact Laurie at laurieb@simeks.com.