Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Huckleberry.
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Being a stay at home mother of 2 boys I have always helped with classroom parties and activities. But I knew there was a greater purpose of life.
I started working for Brad Seiner about 8.5 years ago. Brad and another person started a non profit called Christmas 4 Kids.
It’s an organization that provides Christmas to underprivileged children in Cass, Henry, Bates and Jackson County. Since the 10years its been up and running its helped around 1000 children.
We have an annual Santa night. Where children come get their picture taken with Santa and the parents can pick up the gifts.
It has nothing to do with the gifts on that night. Its the magic in the children’s eyes when they see Santa and tell him everything on their Christmas list. It’s pure magic. Warms the heart and soul. And that’s why I volunteer for Christmas 4 Kids.
I am also part of an organization through Hope City Church called Operation Christmas Child. In the beginning of every November we pass out shoe boxes to the congregation to fill with self care items, toys and school supplies for a child. Then we collect those boxes before Thanksgiving. Those boxes then get shipped and passed out to children in 3rd world countries.
But its not just me that has a giving heart. My husband Ryan Ripperger has one as well. Ryan is the head of the Chain Gang for the Harrisonville Wildcat football team and also serves at church.
After one of the football games he was mentioning that the downs markers were bent and in bad shape. He went to the AD and mentioned that they were bent. He was told there was no money in the budget for new ones. So with the help of Mike and Cindy Walsh (Mike is also on the Chain Gang) we started a community fundraising campaign for new digital downs markers. We were able to get them within the next football season.
I think part of being a good person is helping others. Seeing the need and finding or helping with a solution. No matter how little the effort is it can help others.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When you find a way to help your community, others see your enthusiasm and find themselves wanting to help. And before you know it you’ve got a whole group helping with the cause. Many hands make light work.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work for Farmers Insurance, Brad Seiners Agency here in Harrisonville. We sell Home, Auto, Life and Commercial Insurance.
I am proud to work in such a great community. I grew up here and it’s amazing to have people/clients walk in and recognize me from when I was a kid. Having a familiar face with great customer service in a local office is what I think people love the most about our office.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I have many supporters and cheerleaders, of corse my husband Ryan Ripperger who also volunteers with our son Nick. Every friday night you can spot them and Mike Walsh on the sidelines with the downs markers.
Cindy Walsh also helps me with Operation Christmas Child. Her and Liz Morse helped build this amazing display made out of the OCC shoe boxes at our church.
And the amazing crew for Christmas 4 Kids: Randy Smith, Brad Seiner, Melissa Schroder and Chris Goff. Volunteering long hours and many fundraisers to be able to pull off Christmas for many children.
