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New high for Christmas for Kids

OXFORD — Chris Yates was nearly drawn to tears as she expressed her gratitude to the employees at Oxford Homes.  "You don't know how important this is," Yates said. "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the work that you do and your continuous efforts to support this program.  Yates oversees the Christmas for Kids program, which collects donations and distributes gifts for local area children in need during the holiday season.  She, along with her colleague, Jean Delamater, who oversees the sister program, Christmas for Teens, accepted a ceremonial check from Oxford Homes CEO Peter Connell for $10,750, during the company's annual Christmas dinner at the Four Seasons function center December 21. 

The 125 Oxford Homes employees and their families in attendance at the dinner applauded enthusiastically as the check was presented — marking the end of a year-long fundraising effort.  But that applause wasn't limited to the annual dinner — it can be heard frequently at Oxford Homes throughout the year.  "We have a plant meeting every month," Connell explains. "We have a tree that we keep up all year, and each time we raise another thousand dollars, we light up another level, or plateau on the tree. Each time we light up a new section, it always gets a big applause."  Connell acknowledges that keeping the tree up throughout the year helps keep the holiday spirit flowing all year long. 

There was plenty to cheer about over this year's check — which topped last year's donation of $10,560.  Oxford Homes began fundraising for the Christmas for Kids and Christmas for Teens programs only three years ago.  The first year, with very little time, they were able to raise $4,000 for the programs.  "There was an article that year in the Advertiser Democrat that explained how the program was in dire straits," Connell recalls. "We didn't get started until late fall, but we were still able to raise $4,000. After that, we adopted it into our mission." 

Since then, the employees at Oxford Homes have proven to be a key donor to the programs.  "Without any question, Oxford Homes is the largest single donor that we have," Delamater said.  According to Connell, employees participate in a series of fundraising events, including car washes, gift basket raffles, a company yard sale,  50/50 raffles, a "pennies from heaven" water jug, employee golf tournament, and more, throughout the year.  "Every dollar counts," Connell says.  Now, with the Christmas season over and the money donated, Connell says he and his employees are already looking toward next year.  "We'll start right back up again and get the ball rolling," Connell says.  But in 2007, will the employees at Oxford Homes be able to raise the bar on their own fundraising efforts for the fourth year in a row?  "Oh, we'll top it," Connell says with a smile. 

Oxford Homes, which is located on Route 26, in Oxford, is one of the area's oldest manufactured homes companies. It opened in 1977, and will celebrate its 30 anniversary on April 24, 2007.

CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS IS COOKIN’ — Ray Poulin, of Turner, cooks up a storm, flipping hamburgers and hot dogs at Oxford Homes, on Saturday afternoon. Proceeds from the sale will benefit Christmas for Kids. Oxford Homes workers raised $10,000 for the charity last year. (photo by Deborah Roy)

photo by Deborah Roy

2005

Event planned to raise money for
Christmas for Kids in Oxford Hills
 

OXFORD - In their year-long effort to raise money for Christmas for Kids in the Oxford Hills, the employees of Oxford Homes will be selling food at the Oxford Hills Manufactured Housing Show, April 30 and 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The employees built a food stand for the occasion which they have named the “Home Rock Cafe.”
The “Home Rock Cafe” will be staffed by Oxford Homes volunteers with all proceeds going to the Christmas for Kids fund raising effort.  The employees of Oxford Homes have already raised over $2,500 towards their goal of $10,000 by Christmas with the majority of the fund raisers planned yet to come.
Patrons of the “Home Rock Cafe” can expect such delectable specialties such as Big “O” Burgers, Home fries, Colonial coffee, Paul Bunyan dogs, Cape Cod chips and Residential refreshments with servings as big as a house.  Please eat up for a great cause.

Saturday’s car wash will benefit Christmas for Kids
OXFORD — On Saturday, May 14, the employees of Oxford Homes will be holding a car wash to benefit Christmas for Kids.  It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Oxford Wal-Mart parking lot, weather permitting.
In a year-long effort to raise money for Christmas for Kids,  the employees of Oxford Homes have already tallied over $3,500 toward their goal of $10,000 with the majority of the fund-raising events and raffles yet to come.
Please come out Saturday and spiff up your vehicle for a great cause.
 

photo by Kurt Vail