MOULTRIE — Holiday season is one typically associated with decorations, food, presents and celebrations; however, not every family in Colquitt County has the means to provide the experience for their kids that they would ideally like to.
To help combat this, Stacey Ferguson, owner of Ferguson Metal Building Solutions, and his wife Pamela Ferguson, who teaches at Cox Elementary School, use their personal resources to assist in providing a holiday experience for families in need.
“This season is about giving, not taking,” said Stacey. “We want to make sure every kid has at least one thing to open on Christmas morning.”
Each holiday season, the Fergusons will “adopt” 10-12 children to help throughout the season.
“I look for those kids at school who need a little extra help,” said Pamela. “Cox Elementary is a low economic school and they don’t even have a PTA to help with programs.”
Though a lot of the families they help are within the boundaries of Cox Elementary, the Fergusons aren’t exclusive.
“We don’t like when any kid goes without and we want to help out as much as we can,” said Stacey. “They didn’t ask to be in this situation and we have the means to help provide what they need.”
After gathering all the shopping lists and ideas for presents, the Ferguson family heads to the store.
“Our 8- and 11-year-old will choose the presents we give to the kids,” said Stacey. “It’s something they do every year.”
In addition to helping specific individuals during the season, the Fergusons also donate to organizations.
“We donate to the food bank every year,” said Stacey. “Some people don’t have it like we have, and we want to make sure all needy families can have food.”
“During winter break a lot of the students don’t get breakfast or lunch because there is no school,” said Pamela. “It can be an extra tough time for those families, so we will put together food baskets to give out with the presents.”
The holiday season isn’t the only time the Fergusons turn to charity.
“Instead of getting presents for their birthdays my children donate to the humane society,” said Stacey. “They will ask everyone to bring food or toys or anything the shelter may need, and then they will put everything into the car and we take them to the shelter so they can drop it all off.”
The reason for this unique birthday experience?
“We are instilling in our kids to be loving and giving,” said Stacey. “That’s the way to live.”
In fact, the Fergusons make it a priority to donate all year round.
“We help sponsor the girls softball team at the high school,” said Stacey. “They don’t have backers like the football team.”
“We will hand things out to the students throughout the year,” said Pamela. “If we notice someone needs a new pair of shoes or something we will buy them a pair.”
The Fergusons don’t stop there.
“We pick out a handful of students each year to sponsor with the activities they do,” said Stacey. “Whether it’s going to Washington D.C. on a school trip or joining a sports team at the Parks and Recreation Authority. We want to make sure all the kids have what they need.”
And then, of course, there is the annual Cox Elementary pancake breakfast, which Waffle House assists with by providing the batter.
“It’s my favorite,” said Stacey. “To see the kids with a big smile on their face while eating a syrupy pancake – it makes it all worth it for me.”
How did the spirit of giving begin with the Fergusons?
“It’s just who we are,” said Stacey. “We are a Christian and giving people. The more you help, the more you do and the more blessing you receive.”
“It’s really been these last few years as we have been blessed that we have really been able to provide for others on a larger scale,” said Pamela. “I love all these kids and we want to help in every way we can.”
Through everything they do, the Ferguson’s don’t seek recognition.
“The last thing we want is for the kids to think they are a handout,” said Pamela. “So, we make sure to remain anonymous. Giving isn’t about getting recognition.”
“We remain silent and the kids don’t know the presents and gifts come from us,” said Stacey. “It says in the Bible, ‘the right hand doesn’t know what the left is doing.’ We just do it because it’s the right thing to do, and the Lord knows what we are doing.”