ONU Staff Members Carry on Decades-Long Christmas Tradition Supporting Hardin County Children

For decades, two Ohio Northern University staff members have facilitated an annual tradition from their desks in the Admissions Office of connecting Christmas wish lists from children in need across Hardin County with ONU students, faculty, and staff.

Brenda Hamlin and Sherry Agin have encountered so many cheerful givers and acts of generosity over the years, that, according to Agin, they’ve concluded “giving is good for your soul.”

Hamlin started the program at ONU 36 years ago, and Agin has shared in the responsibilities for the past 25 years.

Their works provides essential support to local families, given that approximately 18 percent of Hardin County residents live below the poverty line.

Many of the children they serve are being raised by grandparents or great-grandparents on fixed incomes, explained Hamlin.

To run the program, they coordinate with Helping Hands Outreach Ministry in Kenton, obtaining the wish lists for approximately 75 to 100 children and teens each year.

To learn more about their mission, please visit ONU’s website by clicking here.