Christmas Cheer Blessing Bags

Christmas Cheer Blessing Bags

Lora Parsons

The Ashland Beacon

Christmas cheer bags assembled and distributed by Rylan Prater and Lace Cook.

The Ashland Alliance Youth Leadership (AAYL) program is a local initiative that provides high school students with an opportunity to explore various parts of their community and get involved in efforts to make the world a better place. Each year, participants are required to complete a service-learning project as part of their involvement in the program, which is currently led by Jeremy Holbrook, the Program Chairman of the Northeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

This year, for example, Russell High School’s leadership team created chemo care bags to donate to local patients. While that project was selected as a group effort, two RHS students, Rylan Prater and Lace Cook, decided to embark on their own individual initiative after their experiences earlier in the year.

As part of the AAYL’s November leadership activity, the group of 41 junior members from local high schools visited The Neighborhood, where they got a firsthand look at the challenges faced by Ashland’s homeless population. The struggles these individuals face—and the increasing numbers—moved Prater and Cook to act. Jeremy Holbrook, who witnessed the duo’s dedication, was deeply impressed by their efforts. He shared, “Rylan and Lace have incredible hearts for the community.” Although the leadership team as a whole chose a different path for their project, Holbrook recognized that Prater and Cook were determined to make a difference. “Even if it was just the two of them, they believed this gift bag project would bless so many families.” And that’s exactly what happened.

Holbrook reported distributing 50 adult and 15 child blessing bags during the first hour of the Christmas meal at the Ashland Community Kitchen. The remaining bags will be distributed before the end of the year, completing Prater and Cook’s project goals.

Inspired by their work and fueled by their passion for cheerleading, Prater and Cook named their initiative Christmas Cheer & Blessing Bags. They began securing donations and raising over $1,200, which was used to purchase gloves, toboggans, socks, and personal hygiene items like deodorant and lip balm. The children’s bags also included a stuffed animal, all packed into a cinch sack.

Jermey Holbrook, Lace Cook, and Rylan Prater unload their donations at The Neighborhood.

Prater reflected on the experience, noting, “Getting to help people through hard times and seeing the potential happiness it can bring them, especially during the holiday season, has been among the most rewarding things we’ve ever done.” Their heartfelt mission was further expressed in the note included with each Christmas Cheer bag, which also featured a scripture reference about the birth of Jesus. The note shared a simple but powerful message: “You are worthy, people care about you, and you are not forgotten.” Through this gesture, Prater and Cook hoped to remind recipients that they matter.

Looking ahead, the two are already dreaming of ways to continue and grow the project next year. However, their immediate goal is to raise awareness about this important need in the community. They hope to inspire others to get involved, showing that help is available not only through municipal resources but also through the kindness of individuals willing to make a difference. Prater and Cook expressed their vision, saying, “If someone can help out in some way—whether through time, volunteering, or donations—The Neighborhood is the perfect place to start.”