Tony Ackerman of the Windham Lions Club last week presented a check for $250 to the Windham Food Pantry, part of the contributions the Lions received from their yearly “Stuff the Bus” project. In addition to the check, the Lions donated 30

hams for holiday baskets, and around $2,500 in food items.

This year’s event turned out to be the most successful one ever, and when you consider the conditions of the economy, it was a total surprise to all of us,” said Ed Fortier of the Lions. “As the volunteers concluded, the more difficult and harder the

economy became the more compassionate and bigger the hearts grew. It

exemplified the true meaning to Christmas.”

As with all successful endeavors, there is more than one group

or individual behind it, Fortier said.

“Many thanks must go to Hannafords Supermarkets,” he said. “They supported this project from its beginning by providing an area to collect the food and donations,

and serving coffee and hot chocolate to the volunteers. They also publicized

the event, and at the end of this year’s project donated a huge number of prepackaged holiday food boxes. We can’t say enough for their generous

support.”

Fortier went on to say that the Windham School Department, as always, provided the school bus and drivers, who take time from their busy weekends to

drive the bus. Also, the Windham High School Leo Club not only helped with the collections, but one young Leo dressed up in the Lions costume and walked through the store entertaining the children. It added some spice to the event, Fortier said.

“Above all, the success was due to you folks in the Windham community,” he said. “I’m fumbling for words to express the clubs appreciation, simply because you were so generous and giving, and all the words are not enough, so on behalf of the Windham Lions I’ll keep it simple: thank you. And we hope you feel a sense of gratification this season, because you have made a difference in many families lives this holiday.”

Madeline Roberts, Tony Ackerman, center, of the Windham Lions and Friend of the Lions Oley Kline present a check for $250 to Madeline Roberts of the Windham Food Pantry.