A neighborhood tradition is again underway as neighbors help folks who are struggling to celebrate the season with a little something underneath the tree.
The Lottie Maynard Fund organizer Jennifer Cobb answered questions about the project. The neighbor association sets aside $1,000 for this project.
- What is the Lottie Maynard project all about? How long has it been going on and do you know anything about this woman?
- The Lottie Maynard Fund is an annual neighborhood project of the JPNA where we pick a few families in need and essentially give them a Christmas – toys, other gifts, grocery gift cards, etc. We do not pay bills nor do we give cash. I honestly don’t know the story of Lottie Maynard, but if you ask some of the neighbors who have been around a while they would know.
- How'd you get involved this year? Have you done it in the past?
- Clay, the JPNA President, sent out an e-mail asking for someone to lead it and I offered to head it up this year. I have not done it in the past.
- What are the needs of the project? How can neighbors get involved?
- Our biggest issue right now is finding families. It would appear that while we say hello to our neighbors, we don’t really know what their struggles are and that makes this project difficult. But even if you don’t know the person’s name, I have a letter that I can put in their mailbox explaining that they’ve been nominated and would they like to participate. Beyond that, we’ll need donations of gifts, but until I speak with the families I won’t know what we need donated.
- Is there a meeting scheduled for this project, where and when?
- There is no meeting scheduled for this.
- Where do you live in the neighborhood and how long? What is the best way for people to contact you?
- My husband and I live on East Forrest Avenue and are coming up on our 4th anniversary of living in Jefferson Park. The best way to contact me is via e-mail, jcobb1978@gmail.com.
