WATCH VIDEO | Salvation Army surprises Somerset woman with Easter decorations | Local News

SOMERSET – Kimberly Onder woke up to an Easter year shock – and a minimal hope – at her doorstep Monday.

Staff from the Salvation Army Somerset Heart confirmed up at Onder’s West Church Street residence with a truckload of Easter decorations, like colourful eggs of each sizing, to plant in her front garden.

As portion of an “EGGStravaganza” fundraiser, they drove up with their truck’s lights and siren activated and started out unloading the outsized eggs.

“I’m at a loss for words and this hardly ever happens,” the Somerset female stated with a laugh, moments right after the Somerset center’s director, Gale Purbaugh, arrived at her doorway.

“Talk about cheering persons up … this is so sweet.”

Aimed at boosting funds for systems supporting people today in require throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the charity collected nominations for far more than a dozen residences to be “drive-up” embellished – and Onder’s was the hottest on the list, organizers said.

Onder is battling most cancers, a often tiring challenge, she explained.

Her partner, Jim, is a loyal volunteer for Calvary United Methodist Church subsequent door. and when the Rev. Arnold McFarland heard about the Salvation Army’s fundraiser, the area pastor stated he realized just in which to start out.

“I could not consider of a brighter way to brighten your day,” McFarland told her, as he emerged from the church’s front door Monday morning and greeted Onder.

Onder thanked him with a hug.

Then she turned to see the Easter back garden of purple, pink and green egg cutouts that ended up staying staked into the soil at either aspect of her patterned brick-entrance walkway.

Onder experienced to compose herself to keep again a few tears.

“This … lets you know, initial of all, that someone’s thinking about you and praying for you,” she said, standing following to a indication that read through “Hope grows right here.”

“And it also displays the community that there are however excellent folks in the globe,” she extra, “and that’s superb.”

McFarland was 1 of 12 people around the previous few months who donated $50 to surprise a good friend or family members member with the decorations, in accordance to Purbaugh.

The fundraiser has elevated just $600 so far for meals, utility and rental help systems, but the community response and the “joy” on nearby families’ faces has designed the exertion priceless, she additional.

The Salvation Army Support Centre options on decorating far more houses, for two days each and every, through the complete month, she mentioned.

“The response has just been remarkable,” she stated.

“I assume this will definitely turn into an once-a-year fundraiser for us.”

David Hurst is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Comply with him on Twitter @TDDavidHurst.