Community Update - Jan 2026
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we begin 2026, the JC First team would like to take a moment to reflect on 2025 and give thanks for your financial support, the many ways you helped, and the prayers and encouragement offered as we connected with and supported our community. Through your generosity, 2025 surpassed all our expectations, allowing us to do considerably more than we imagined.
We continued supplying devotionals for the cancer care bags distributed through the Jasper County Health Department to individuals facing a cancer diagnosis. These devotionals, along with letters from cancer survivors and poems of hope from local supporters, provide a small but meaningful sense of comfort during an incredibly difficult season.
In April, we were able to provide an Easter meal to everyone who signed up. Individuals could stop by to pick up meals consisting of ham, hash brown casserole, green beans, a roll, dessert, and a bottle of water. We are grateful for the volunteers who helped prepare, serve, and deliver meals to those in Newton who requested delivery. Our meal count increased from approximately 150 to more than 250 meals this year. We worked with Hartrich’s Meats, The Freeze, and Newton Foods for most, if not all, of our supplies, and Dieterich Bank graciously provided the bottled water. Desserts were made possible through partnerships with Homemade Delights by Twyla, Mimi’s Cookies, Laura’s Little Sweet Shop, and Allison Harris.
In August, we held our Back to School Bash, and to say it was a success is an understatement. Our community showed up in a big way, allowing us to distribute 82 shoe gift cards at the event, with an additional 40 kids placed on a waitlist. With surplus donations, those kids were able to receive new shoes in September and October, for a total of 122 pairs of shoes fitted at Jasper Clothiers. We also distributed more than 200 Newton Eagle sweatshirts and 75 T-shirts from Borgic Designs, along with donated socks and underwear for kids to select. Newton Christian Church welcomed families and provided cinch bags for kids to carry their items. Bloomberg Chiropractic Center offered scoliosis screenings, and eight local stylists generously donated their time to provide more than 50 haircuts.
Participating stylists included Lanna Michl and Kyanna Ruholl of Denise’s Corner Salon; Misty Kurtz of Newton Hair Gallery; Debbie Goss of Snip-Tips & Sunworks Massage Spa; Scott Mitchell of Final Cut Barber Co.; Erin Frichtl; Jessica Zumbahlen of Stacy’s Creative Styles; and Faith Julian. We were also grateful to Jenny Milliman and Lindsey Goebel, who provided hair checks for children during the event.
Mound Community Church funded bookbags, and Scott Avenue Christian Church distributed bags of snacks. The Back to School Bash is held each year during Upcycle, the community garage sale hosted annually by Scott Avenue Christian Church, further expanding access to clothing and household items for families attending the event. This year, we were also able to expand beyond the event itself. The Jasper County Chamber of Commerce hosted a laundry day at the Newton Coin Laundry, providing coins and detergent. At one point, every washer and dryer was in use, with families waiting for the next available machine. While families waited, Latona Church of Christ provided a lunch consisting of hot dogs, chips, and water. We were truly grateful for the incredible support and turnout.
We plan to continue these traditions in 2026 and are always looking for individuals, organizations, and businesses to partner with us and help strengthen our community. If you have questions or would like a member of our Leadership Team to visit your organization to share our mission, current needs, and ways to partner with us, please visit our website or contact us via Facebook or Instagram at @jcfirstnewton, email us at contact@jcfirst.org, or call or text 765-820-5247.
We look forward to continuing to serve Jasper County together.
Blessings,
JC First Leadership Team
