By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS – The first clue to the number of children living in this house on O'Keefe Street in Cassopolis is found by the front door.
Inside the porch are rows and rows of shoes – all neatly lined up.
Alissa and Duane Pearson celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary Thursday. Their home is filled with children and grandchildren and love.
This year had its ups and downs for the Pearsons and it was because of those downs that Tracy Hertsel, principal of Squires Elementary School in Cassopolis, suggested they turn in their name to the Lewis Cass Intermediate School District (ISD) for the Adopt-a-Family program this year.
The generosity of businesses and individuals each year allow many families like the Pearsons to still experience a good Christmas for the children.
The spirit of the season is evident when many boxes and bags filled with gifts pour into the Cass County Fairground in Cassopolis.
For the past eight years, the families in our community are helped with basic holiday needs such as coats, shoes, clothing, gas cards, diapers, hygiene products and blankets – and for the kids, most importantly toys.
"It wouldn't happen without the generosity of so many," said Pam Swain of Lewis Cass ISD. "We try to help with basic needs, clothing, cribs, changing tables, etc."
Many also helped by donating wrapping supplies and money, as some organizations would rather let the ISD purchase gifts.
"We helped 84 families this year," Swain said. She added they are also blessed with some major donors, such as St. Deny's Foundation and Wal-Mart.
Edwardsburg Middle School students raised close to $5,000 she said.
Monetary donations can be mailed to LCISD, c/o Pam Swaim, 61682 Dailey Road, Cassopolis, MI 49031.
Duane worked at the Subway in Cassopolis for more than four years, transferring to one in Elkhart, Ind. But first he was laid off and then his hours have been cut and the lower paychecks have really hurt.
"He is the disciplinarian," Alissa said. "Sergeant Pearson – he gets them up in the morning."
Seven of their nine children still live at home, along with two of four grandchildren.
There is a child in every grade in the Cassopolis Schools, from senior in high school to kindergarten, with only seventh grade missing.
Alissa, a former nurse at the Cass County Medical Care Facility, had a stroke two months ago.
"The kids have been helping keeping up. When you have a large family, they have chores," she said.
"We have to work to keep order. It's truly busy and they all have different minds." she added.
She keeps fruit in the house for snacks, "but I limit sugar," she said. She makes sure they do their homework, tries to get them to put their clothes in the hamper and does wash every other day.
Something is working, as Victoria was the Cass County Spelling Champ last year.
They are "truly grateful" to be receiving gifts for the family through the Adopt-a-Family program this year.
"I know my children will be happy now," she said.