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HERRIMAN — The gifts are piling up on the Beard family’s dining room table.
“We got lots of socks here for maybe teenage girls,” said Jill Beard, sorting through some of the items. “I think these kids are just going to be thrilled.”
All of the gifts are going a family that’s struggling right now.
“Lots of these are single moms who are just really learning how to become that mom again,” Jill Beard said, looking through some clothes for newborns. “We just had an overwhelming support of people in the community and businesses.”
What started as an Eagle Scout service project for Jill Beard’s son has turned into a bigger cause for the family, which has turned its loss into hope for many others.
Last year, Colby Beard, 17, had an idea to help recovering addicts at the Odyssey House, a drug and alcohol treatment center.
“Helping other people is one of the best feelings you can get,” Colby Beard said.
The teen opened a Christmas store for outpatient clients, in memory of his older brother Mikey, who overdosed on heroin.
Mikey’s Christmas Jar project helped 76 families last year.
Sometimes we get so caught up in our own personal woes and struggles that we forget that sometimes serving others just gives us a better quality of life.
–Jill Beard
“Some people say it’s helped them with their treatment, it’s helped them get through it,” Colby Beard said.
The family says this holiday, the need has doubled to nearly 150 families.
“We’ve got wish lists from all of the individuals and these sweet little families that just otherwise would not have any Christmas this year,” Jill Beard said.
The Beards say each recipient has earned the opportunity to participate in the Christmas store, which will take place at the Odyssey House Outpatient Program at 350 E. 2100 South on Dec. 16.
There will be activities for children, including photos with Santa.
All they’ve asked of the recipients is to pay it forward with a small act of service of their own.
“Sometimes we get so caught up in our own personal woes and struggles that we forget that sometimes serving others just gives us a better quality of life,” Jill Beard said.
They say serving others has helped them cope with their own devastating loss.
“Going through what we’ve had to go through, it’s just amazing, oh my gosh,” said Colby Beard.
He said his brother Mikey would be speechless too.
The family plans to make Mikey’s Christmas Jar project an annual tradition in Mikey’s honor.
“I think it’s amazing. It’s quite an experience to go through,” Colby Beard said.
For more information on how to get involved, visit any of the following Facebook or GoFundMe accounts.* You can also contact the Beards via email.
*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
