Holmes Christmas Club: a Wright County Christmas tradition

Three tables laid end-to-end, boxes of fresh fruit stacked five high, and shelves of assembled baskets full of Christmas goodies: these were the sights at Chappy’s in Clarion the morning of December 8. At 11 a.m., about 50 people were engaged in assembling the traditional bags of fruit to distribute to the elderly and people in need before Christmas.

This long-running event is a tradition, both for the community and the people who help assemble the baskets. “They pretty much know their spot where they’re going to work and they’re not going to give it up,” said Beth Menges with a laugh.

The busy session of packing takes only a few hours. “It looks like it goes smooth, and it does, because people have been doing this for years,” Menges said.

Menges has been a long-time member of the club—as were her parents before her. She called it “humbling” to see how the club is still making a difference in the community after her parents helped found it 73 years ago.

For the full story, see the December 15 edition of the Monitor.