On Christmas Eve in 2005, Hennessey Reserve police officer, Bryan Burch was working the evening shift and stopped by Loves Country Store for a break. While there, Bryan’s wife Shelley Burch met up with him. They met a woman that night that stopped by and mentioned that she had her 2 grand kids and there were no gifts for them for Christmas. The Burch’s decided then to do something about it. They went shopping to find gifts for the children. Shelley and her mom split the cost and got enough gifts for each child to receive 3 or 4 presents.
This was just the beginning. For the next few years, Shelley would buy and wrap gifts. Bryan would deliver the gifts to 5 or 6 families in his police car on Christmas Eve. This is what is now called the “Hennessey Reserve Angels” and now involves dozens of volunteers and serves about 100 children and 40 senior citizens each year.
This small operation is now a big production and is based at the Hennessey Town Hall, where Shelley works. She will receive applications from families in need and adoptees for those who wish to help adopt a family by buying gifts from their wish list.
About this time in December, the Hennessey Town Hall starts to look like Santa’s Workshop. Gifts are stacked in all the offices. Bikes are lined up in the council room and there is always something being assembled in the lobby.
There are many ways to be a part of this great charity. Wrapping day is a big affair at the Hennessey Baptist Church Activity building where volunteers prepare the hundreds of gifts for delivery. The group also holds a fundraiser at the Hennessey Fire Station selling about 150 pork butts to help them raise money.
At noon on Christmas Eve, Shelly’s Angels gather at the Hennessey Town Hall. Deliveries are handled by Hennessey Town employees, The Hennessey Police Department, Hennessey Fire Department, Kingfisher County Sheriff’s office and Oklahoma Highway Patrol. They leave the Town Hall with lights and sirens blaring and convoy to make their first delivery at the Hennessey Care Center. Then, strike out to deliver all of the gifts to the families all over Hennessey and Dover.
Shelley said, “It takes a village, and I live in the best one. No kid should go without a Christmas gift, ever!”
If you know of a family in need, or would like to help with gifts please call the Hennessey Town Hall 405-853-2416
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