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Program brings ‘cheer’ to needy families by Cindy Abole Office of Public Relations  Nothing is more touching than knowing the joys of Christmas morning as children open a toy or gift that's especially for them. Or the thought of a family gathered around a warm, delicious meal to celebrate Christmas. These visions have a chance to become reality thanks to the generous donations and efforts made by the Department of Public Safety's Good Cheer program. The staffs of MUSC's Public Safety and Hospital Safety and Security have teamed together to provide this level of fund-raising and support. Established in 1992, the Good Cheer Program was the brainchild of several members of the Public Safety staff who wanted to direct their kind hearts and sentiments towards charitable efforts. For six years, the program provided assistance for 20 to 40 Lowcountry families and individuals. It has remained inactive until this year. “The Good Cheer program has been a wonderful project for us in the past,” said Toni Windham, Good Cheer Program Committee coordinator. “We wanted to bring it back and allow others to join in our efforts. Participating in this has also helped to raise morale and boost spirits as each of us prepare for the holidays.” Windham is joined by other committee members Debbie Wagenbrenner, Jennie Rhodes, Jeff Hample, Warren Sholl, and Russ Hagen in planning and guidance through holiday fund-raising and other departmental efforts. The funds are used to supply gifts, gift certificates, clothing and food certificates for a complete holiday dinner to Good Cheer families who will not receive any assistance this Christmas season. New officer Judy Lewis, who works as a security officer in Harborview Towers, supports the Good Cheer program efforts. Lewis, herself, helped to sell 40 tickets for this year's raffle. “The program helps honest people who may be short of money during the holidays celebrate Christmas,” Lewis said. “It brings us together as officers to do something great for the community. It bonds us knowing that we want the same comforts of ourselves for others.” This year, the program has expanded to include joint participation with the 30 members of MUSC's Hospital Security Staff. “We're glad to link up with this program and get involved,” said Archie Reid, security officer. Reid is no stranger to holiday assistance programs, As a retired Air Force senior master sergeant, Reid was active in other “good cheer” projects helping local families and individuals. “It's nice to be involved with something that's already been established and is also successful.” To date the team has netted more than $1,500 in donations to support seven Lowcountry families during the holidays. Much of the money came from proceeds made from a Nov. 14 Good Cheer raffle drawing. Throughout the year, committee members collected or purchased items that were raffled off in the mid-November fund-raising. The group also provided an angel tree decorated with special angel ornaments and the names of needy children with gift suggestions. Another valuable aspect of the program, according to Windham, is its accord  with the university's continuous quality improvement program, a process initiated in the workplace that advocates proactive and continual improvement of customer service and the pursuit for excellence. The involvement between departments and the community is an important connection for all of us working in public service, Windham said. Members of the committee, along with Santa Claus and helpers, will deliver the gifts to families on Dec. 19. “The Good Cheer project provides an opportunity for the department to work as a whole on a program that benefits the community,” said Tom Brown, chief of the Department of Public Safety. “Different activities are coordinated throughout the year for the Good Cheer program, and this working together causes a sense of cohesiveness in the department. When the gifts are presented to the families, the entire department feels a sense of accomplishment and pride.” For more information on Public Safety's Good Cheer program, contact 792-4023.