Employees of Richland Correctional Institution (RiCI) in conjunction with Catalyst Life Services brightened one family’s Christmas on Monday. The Wimer family, of Bellville, was chosen by Catalyst Life Center to be part of RiCI’s “Adopt a Family” program this year. Funded by staff and union contributions, the RiCI “Adopt a Family” program has been ongoing since the opening of RiCI in 1998.
This year’s family included husband and wife Chris and Amy Wimer and their daughters Katelen, age 9, and Amberlen, age 5, of Bellville.
The Wimer family have faced rough times this year.
“Katelen is our special needs child,” said Amy Wimer,” She goes to the doctor in Columbus all the time at the Children’s Hospital.”
Chris Wimer is currently unemployed, and wife Amy Wimer is disabled. She has had thirteen back surgeries and was only recently diagnosed with renal failure.
The Wimers are grateful for the help of Catalyst Life Center and RiCI.
“We wouldn’t be able to afford a Christmas,” said Amy Wimer, “Disability [pay] only goes so far. It goes quick.”
The family can choose to open the gifts at RiCI or take them home to put under the tree. On Monday, the Wimer children were allowed by their parents to open a few gifts but the rest were taken home for the holiday.
Coats, snow boots, toiletries and a kitchen play set were among the presents unwrapped by the children.
Amberlen Wimer, overwhelmed at opening a package of dolls, turned to hug Santa, portrayed by RiCI Officer Jason Oney, with a joyous, “Thank you!”
There were also gifts for the parents, including a new toaster and a vacuum cleaner for Amy Wimer and a fishing rod, complete with tackle box, for Chris Wimer.
RiCI Administrative Professionals Angie Rose and Cathy Donovan helped coordinate staff donations.
“It’s a collaboration of the Employee Activity Committee,” said Rose.
A staff Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments listing a need or want for the “adopted” family, including clothing and shoe sizes. Staff members select an ornament and purchase the listed item.
Rose said, “We do a collection at the end. With this family, since they were driving back and forth to Columbus, with medical expenses and all that, we purchased a gas card for them.”
The staff holds “jeans day” fundraisers, wherein staff members make a donation to be able to to dress down for the day.
“The thing that’s nice is this is staff-driven,” said Jennifer Gillece, RiCI Correctional Wardens Assistant, “It’s their way of coming together and giving back to the community.”
A family is selected each year by Catalyst Life Services to participate in the “Adopt a Family” program. The Center for Individual and Family Services and The Rehab Center merged to come under the umbrella of the newly branded Catalyst Life Services.
Representatives of Catalyst Life Services present on Monday were Vice President of Clinical Services Erin Schaefer, Program Assistant for Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Crisis Services Gayle Brewer, and Child and Adolescent Therapist Anne Vermillion.
More information on RiCI programs can be found on their website. And Information regarding Catalyst Life Services can be found at http://www.catalystlifeservices.org/.
“The thing that’s nice is this is staff-driven,” said Jennifer Gillece, RiCI Correctional Wardens Assistant, “It’s their way of coming together and giving back to the community.”
