MONROE - In February of this year, the Monroe Woman's Club lost Katheryn Etter, a founding member of the Christmas Stocking project that she helped start more than 60 years ago.

Etter, who was 96 when she died, had been the nurse for Monroe schools for 36 years. Around 1949, she saw a need to help local families. She made it her mission to help struggling families by providing coats, boots, shoes and toys.

According to a typewritten account from the Monroe Woman's Club archives, the Christmas Stocking drive originated "about 1950 when Mrs. Etter, school nurse, helped pack boxes of used clothing and toys for families. She thought it would be a good idea if each child could have what they wanted for Christmas. In 1951, Woman's Club took over the project and Mrs. Etter and Mrs. Allie Holtshopple served as chairman." Two members of the Woman's Club remember the early days of the Christmas Stocking.

Belva Zwygart was a committee member from 1958 to 1962, but was active with the organization for 40 years. The need to help was there when she joined.

"It's been a need for mostly the children for food and clothing," Zwygart said. "You are helping people at the holiday time."

But efforts to raise funds were hard, said Lucy Kubly, who was a committee chair from 1953 to 1957.

Kubly remembers having to write letters to business, requesting donations, such as money, for the organization.

"It was harder for us because it wasn't done before," Kubly said. "These business, it was the only thing that we could get to start."

A letter of thanks to financial donors of the 1951 effort showed just how much the women were able to accomplish in just a short time. "Because of your generous response to our appeal for funds, it was possible to fill every request for help which we received. We would like you to know what your Christmas Stocking dollars purchased: 40 baskets of food, which fed approximately 160 persons at a cost of $6.50 per basket ... toys and clothing for 70 children, the toys costing $65 and the clothing $140 ... cheer boxes were sent to the two convalescent homes in Monroe for all patients, to a rooming house where older men live and to three handicapped persons."

Newspaper clippings from in the club's scrapbooks showed the effort gained ground through its first decade, as local organizations, such as Scout troops, the Monroe Lions and Jaycettes clubs and American Legion, lent a hand to pack food boxes and make deliveries.

The Woman's Club clippings and old photos also document how the effort continued to grow through the ensuing years, as more volunteers took part and more families were served as community members supported the Christmas Stocking with donations. "It's been a wonderful thing," Kubly said. "As time went on, people were giving."

More than six decades later, the mission to help families in need in the Monroe School District continues its work to meet the needs of children and families. The group begins collecting new and gently used children's coats, which Monroe One Hour Cleaners cleans for free for distribution. Those needing warm boots or shoes are given vouchers to purchase footwear at area stores. And an army of volunteers shop for children, using donated toys and monetary donations to ensure each child receives a toy for Christmas. Volunteers also pack and deliver food boxes containing the fixings for a holiday meal for families, and cheer boxes for elderly and shut-ins.

The collective effort adds up, as the number of children and families in need continues to grow each year - last year, the Christmas Stocking served 341 families for a total of 790 children, delivered 184 cheer boxes and 311 family food boxes.

Donations are collected throughout the year, but the primary push is right before the holidays. Donations may be sent to Monroe Christmas Stocking Fund, 901 16th Ave., Monroe, WI 53566.