Employees of the National Fish Hatchery of Orangeburg demonstrated the spirit of giving by adopting a family in need this Christmas.

"We decided to spread Christmas joy a little different this year," said Willie Booker, Hatchery manager. "Instead of giving a little here and a little there to different families and to people we do not know, we decided to give it all to a family we knew and felt needed our undivided help."

Each of the employees from the facility pitched in $25 or more to provide the family of Kiona Green of Orangeburg with a nice Christmas.

Green, whose three children - ages 15, 10 and 3 - are members of the Boys and Girls Club, has been unemployed since being hurt in a serious wreck. She said she was unable to provide for her children the way she normally does during the holidays.

A crushed pelvis and a fractured coccyx (tailbone) didn't stop Green from smiling when Booker and Rose Mickens, Hatchery secretary and assistant, arrived at her door with gifts for her children. She said she was thankful for the generosity of the employees of the National Fish Hatchery. The gifts included a bicycle, sweaters, pants and toys.

"I donate all the time, but this time was very warming. I felt like a new me inside," Hatchery employee Jarret Hill said.

"You could just see the joy on her (Green's) face when she saw these gifts. You could tell she was absolutely appreciative of everything," Rose Micken said.

Maurice Mickens, another employee at the Fish Hatchery, said he was glad he could help the family.

"As a child, I grew up very fortunate. So when I hear about someone who needs help, it's just in my nature to give," he said. "They say 'tis the season to be giving,' and I say there are four seasons in the year for that job."

T&D Correspondent Justina Robinson-Moore can be reached by e-mail at justina_moore1@yahoo.com.

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