Bexley nonprofit helps every family enjoy the holidays

BEXLEY, Ohio (WCMH) – With time running out for the Developmental Assets Resource Network's annual sponsor-a-child campaign, DARN board member Kelly Salmon took to Bexley's Facebook group to see if anyone else would help support the last 25 kids in need. Within 24 hours, each child was fully funded.

The annual holiday program is just one of the many things DARN does to support Bexley families in need year-round. Board members said the city and Bexley City Schools collaborate with the nonprofit to ensure every child has a happy holidays. This year, DARN was able to support 132 kids across 58 families in Bexley for the holidays.

Marguerethe Jaede, DARN president, said the organization is able to help families by collaborating with Bexley City Schools. Jaede said anonymity is incredibly important to DARN, protecting families who need help as community members, so school counselors identify students and families who may want help. Once identified, the counselors send DARN a list without specifying names.

"I'm on the board, but I'm also a community member," Jaede said. "It's sort of essential that all things remain confidential -- Bexley's such a small community."

DARN collects donations and gift cards for each family, and distributes them before the holidays. Once collected, each child receives a gift card to either Amazon or Target, and kids in middle or high school also get gift cards to eateries on Main Street. Each family also receives a gift card for groceries. Jaede said DARN used to collect specific gifts for kids but switched to gift cards to be more sanitary during COVID-19.

"Since COVID, our numbers have increased tremendously, so we've stuck with gift cards since," Jaede said.

Jaede said none of it could have happened without the support of the school district and the city. Salmon said each of Bexley's three elementary school PTOs gave monetary donations, and a district representative said the schools helped promote the drive. Bexley Director of Administration and Development Megan Meyer said the city also helped to raise awareness and offered City Hall as a drop off location for donated gift cards and wrapping supplies.

“The City is proud to work with DARN on several efforts and drives throughout the year,” Meyer said. “For the holiday season specifically, we help promote DARN's gift card drive. 

The holiday drive is just one of the ways DARN helps families year-round. Jaede said DARN collects and donates bikes and jackets for families, and also provides food support in the summer to help offset added costs of meals when kids are out of school. So far this year, Salmon said the organization has helped around 80 families in need.

Those who want to help DARN can donate online and follow the nonprofit on Facebook and Instagram, where more immediate help requests are often posted.