Journal-News.com

Christmas came late for the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Warren County, but the organization received a gift it can keep giving all year.

The IHN, which provides help for needy families including a temporary shelter at 203 E. Warren Ave. in Lebanon, was the recipient of several hundred pounds of new Christmas ornaments and decorations from the Lebanon Walmart.

Jerri Traylor, a Walmart employee, was charged with disposing of the department store's left over Christmas merchandise in January once the holidays were over.

"I'd rather give it to someone who could use it instead of just throwing it away," said Traylor, who lives in Morrow, and said Walmart encourages donations instead of trashing.

Through a neighbor, Traylor was hooked up with the United Way, who in turn connected her with an outlet for the unwanted garland and lights just down the road from Walmart.

"We are very grateful," said Linda Rabolt, director of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Warren County. "When families move to a shelter, they have likely lost everything. Even if they move out, they don't have the money to spend on luxuries like Christmas decorations. This is something we can give them as they move out to help them adjust."

Rabolt said that the decorations would give families the joy of the holiday season.

"Any time a child can have the opportunity to experience the spirit of Christmas, especially when their families don't have to spend a lot of money, it's a wonderful thing," she said.

Walmart donated a small trailer worth of decorations to IHN. Traylor said she hopes to continue the relationship and is already looking over left over Valentine's Day materials for donations.