Share the Season reaches out to those seeking help when ‘life happens’

LaSherrie Herndon fell behind on her bills after she had surgery on a bulging disc near the top of her spine.

She was off work for two months – unable to pay rent or make car payments. And when she went back to work, all of her paycheck went to pay bills.

A friend told her about Share the Season. She applied and got help.

Share the Season is a local nonprofit effort coordinated by the Wichita Community Foundation, the Salvation Army and The Wichita Eagle. It offers one-time assistance to people who need help because of hardships such as a job loss or illness.

Beginning Thursday and until Christmas, The Eagle will feature a daily story of someone in need. Those who are featured will usually remain anonymous, but their need will be verified by the Salvation Army.

It is a grassroots effort in which donors send what they can – $5, $10, $25 or more.

Last year, more than 145 individuals or families were helped by the $223,700 that was donated by Wichitans. The average Share the Season recipient receives help paying utility or medical bills. Payments are made directly to creditors.

Since the program started in 2000, it has helped more than 3,100 families with $2.9 million in donated funds, said Shelly Prichard, president and CEO of the Wichita Community Foundation.

“A person I was having a conversation with told me how they always look forward to the stories,” Prichard said. “They said, ‘It lets me know how good my city is.’ I know Share the Season is a way that people can help others. The money goes to places where people really need it and serves people who are trying to make ends meet and do the best they can.”

Prichard said the “absolute joy” is reading notes from donors who, in the past, have been helped by the program.

“We get contributions of all sizes from people every year,” she said. “They continue to be very generous to this program, particularly for the amount of money that comes in in that very short time. It shows people see the value.”

Prichard said one check this year was for $4, sent by a donor who gave $2 last year.

“I feel it is almost biblical in that people give what they have,” she said. “Some are much larger, but it all goes to help other people.”

Tish Tinnon is the program coordinator for Share the Season at the Salvation Army.

She has been taking applications since Oct. 31.

“All are unique,” Tinnon said. “There are a variety of stories. For instance, we are getting a lot of medical issues, there are a few divorced people who are starting over, and people who have lost their jobs and now have new jobs but are not able to make ends meet and playing catch-up.”

Herndon, 44, said the program is allowing her to move forward.

After her surgery and after she was able to go back to work, she got sick again. She missed another week of work with a sinus infection.

“I just kept playing catch-up,” she said. “Life happens, and unexpected things happen. You do what you have to – to try and stay up on your bills. But I was looking at losing my car, and it was so stressful. I needed help.”

It will take time to heal, she said.

She is still in some pain, but it is better.

“This gift will help me not stress so much about being not able to get to work and losing my job,” she wrote on her Share the Season application. “I really appreciate as much help that you can give me.”

This story was originally published November 23, 2016 at 3:42 PM with the headline "Share the Season reaches out to those seeking help when ‘life happens’."