MONROE - Until recently looking into the program's history, none of the organizers of the Christmas Stocking Fund had really kept track of how many years they've been at it. They're too busy prepping, planning and organizing for their biggest charitable act of the year.

But records and newspaper clippings show the program is celebrating 70 years of making Christmases merrier for those who could use a little help around the holidays.

"Wow, who would have dreamed this would have grown from just a few children to over 900," longtime volunteer and family coordinator Mary Deininger said.

The program has made it through tough recessions, families in unforeseeable circumstances and some years with declining donations - but stopping the program has never been an option. That's likely because despite the changes that have come and gone over the past seven decades, the spirit of giving and the need for it in the community has remained.

"I don't think Monroe realizes the depth of poverty in this community," Deininger said.

Deininger, along with Kathy Reffue, treasurer and fundraising coordinator, has heard different stories of how the project began. It was likely an effort that started in 1947 when a public health worker approached Katie Etter, the local school nurse, telling her there was a need in Monroe.

The project was called "Department of Public Welfare" until Etter took the idea to the Woman's Club, asking if they would take it over.

"Katie kind of spearheaded things, but several others were very involved," Reffue said.

There are rumors about that first year when Katie told her husband, Duke, about the needy children. That evening, word has it he and his friends donated all their poker money to get the fund started - but no one really knows if that's true.

By 1951, the name changed to Monroe Woman's Club Christmas Stocking Project. A photo that ran in the Monroe Evening Times the day before Christmas that year shows "the committee of Mrs. J. T. Etter, Jr., Mrs. Allie Holtshopple and Mrs. Alvin A. Kubly" after packing boxes that were distributed to 50 local families.

"It's been a great service project for the Woman's Club to take over," Deininger said.

In its early days, an old account tells the tale of how the Christmas Stocking Fund assembled gifts. Donated, broken toys were repaired by the "manual training classes" at the high school. Dolls were dressed by the home economics classes and broken bikes were restored to hand out. Local garbage sites were even perused for potential gifts. Cheer boxes were distributed to the local convalescent homes and to those with disabilities.

There were several different fundraising events in the beginning to support the program. The biggest was a dress-the-doll contest held from 1975 to 1985, and dolls were auctioned off with proceeds going to the project. A local realtor took it over until around 1990. About 20 years ago, the group decided to try an envelope drive, distributed and donated by the Monroe Times.

"The envelope drive was a miracle when that came along," Deininger said.

Since then, the project has remained the same, in most ways. Tweaks transpire each year depending on what works. Gift cards for clothing, coats and boots have been added for older children. A voucher for meat inside the food boxes has replaced canned ham.

The names of recipients also change, Reffue said. As she makes calls each year, some are especially meaningful.

"It always feels great when you call a family who doesn't need it anymore," Reffue said. "They're so grateful - and they tell us to give it to someone else."

Hundreds of volunteers, service clubs, businesses, individuals, city employees, school staff, students, youth groups and even sports teams come alive for the packing, delivering, carrying, fundraising, baking and other efforts each year.

Every time a change is needed, someone simply steps forward to help.

"We couldn't do it without this community," Reffue said. "So many people help."

The basic values of the program are instilled and remain prominent - but no one could have dreamed of how much the project would grow. In 2016, the project distributed more than 500 boxes of food and helped almost 1,000 children in need. The envelope drive brought in around $50,000.

The months of work that go into the project are worth it as organizers see the faces of the recipients and the thank-yous that accompany the deliveries.

"I hear some heartfelt, wonderful things from families who say they couldn't have gotten through (the holiday) without this," Deininger said.

After packing boxes in Dearth's showroom in an assembly-line fashion, they're ready to go. When that time comes, they don't know who will show up. A basketball team, a civic group, hospital administrators - somehow it all gets done.

The years of giving have always been special, and not often do particular things stand out - except maybe the year Bob and Shirley Dearth used their 50th wedding anniversary celebration to purchase winter coats for all of the students in Monroe schools who needed one - or the year of the snowstorm on delivery day.

"The ebb and flow of things have changed," Deininger said. "But the main reasons have always stayed the same."