By JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post
MCPHERSON, Kan. — Fall brings to mind not just the season, but the spirit of giving and Oxford House Chapter 13 is giving more than they have already, with their upcoming Thanksgiving luncheon and bake sale fundraiser on Nov. 12. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the McPherson Church of the Nazarene at 1455 North Main in McPherson.
“All of the fundraiser proceeds are to purchase Christmas gifts for the children of parents in Oxford,” said Charles Ford, Chapter 13 fundraiser committee treasurer.
Oxford House will be serving a variety of meats, several sides, and bread from early morning to mid-afternoon at the McPherson Church of the Nazarene, known by locals as MPNaz, at 1455 North Main in McPherson.
Activities will also include a bouncy house and pumpkins for children to paint. Additionally, there will be an Oxford House alumni speaker, Dakota Sanders at 1 p.m. Saturday.
“I’ve committed to helping with fundraiser as a way to give it back. In my past,” said Ford, when talking about his personal passion for Oxford House activities. “I’ve done a lot of dirt, so this is one way for me to make positive change in myself and in my community.”
Ford lives at the Promise Oxford House, where he is currently the housing services representative, fundraiser representative, and 4TK representative for the house. Having been very active in McPherson prior to the fundraiser, Oxford House is preparing to open a men’s recovery home, shortly after opening a women’s and children’s home.
“To ensure that the children and parents in Oxford have a happy holiday, we don’t want the kids to go without. Just because the parents are struggling with addiction or alcoholism, it’s not their [the kids] fault,” said Ford. “The reason we’re doing the event in McPherson is to try and raise awareness in McPherson that we now have a women’s and children’s house there available for the community, and also we are opening their first men’s house.”
The McPherson men’s Oxford House operated by Chapter 13, is anticipated to be opened next month.