Spotlight

Christmas Charities Year Round (CCYR) is one of Madison County’s oldest nonprofit organizations and one of its most quietly impactful. Founded in 1949 after a devastating boll weevil infestation left localfarmers without crops or income, the organization began by helpingfamilies celebrate Christmas despite their hardships.

Today, CCYR provides clothing, household goods, and medical equipmentto individuals and families across North Alabama at no cost.

Its programs include a community clothing closet, a mobile outreachtruck that delivers clothing and hygiene supplies to schools and homelesscamps, and a durable medical equipment program that loans wheelchairs,walkers, and other essential items to those in need.

For Deanna Douglass, the organization’s acting executive director, working at CCYR has been both personal and unexpected. Before joining the nonprofit a year and a half ago, Douglass worked in medical billing and insurance. She first discovered CCYR completely by chance. “It’s a funny story. I had a lot of used durable medical equipment, and was looking for a home for it,” Douglass said.

At the time, Douglass didn’t fully know what CCYR did to serve the community outside of the winter holiday. “I think a lot of people in the community don’t know what Christmas Charities really does, because I thought that it was only for Christmas,” she said. Not long after Douglass dropped off her donated medical equipment, she began working as CCYR’s service coordinator.

Personally, Douglass knows what it’s like to be in need. As a young child, she was removed from her home due to safety concerns after a fire. “I knew poverty growing up. I was a ward of the state for a little while,” Douglass said. She continued, “Where a lot of these children are, I have been. I understand what it’s like to be the poor kid or the hungry kid,” Douglass shared.

As for the most rewarding part of her job, Douglass said that meeting people and listening to their life journeys is at the top.

According to Douglass, CCYR provided Christmas gifts to approximately 770 children last year, as well as 150 seniors. CCYR boasts an impressive volunteer base of individuals who have generously donated their time and talents for over 30 years, particularly during the Christmas season. Douglass said CCYR heavily depends on its passionate volunteers to run smoothly. “Without the help of our community, there’s no way that we could do what we do,” Douglass said.

Overall, Douglass said it never fails that when a need arises, the Huntsville community shows up at just the right time. “If there’s a need and we put it out there, someone always seems to come through,” Douglass said.