Marengo Co. community continues legacy of giving

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

A Marengo County woman’s love of Christmas and heart for giving — has now grown into a community-wide effort to spread Christmas joy.

Dorell Twilley says her mother Ida Mae Etheridge — bought Christmas gifts for children in the community — that she knew wouldn’t get one otherwise.

“My mom was a sweet lady. She had a very good easy going spirit. She loved children, she loved Christmas,” said Chastity Etheridge.

“It was her favorite holiday. And she would look at kids in our neighborhood in Flatwood and she would want to give those kids that wasn’t gon’ get a gift, a gift,” said Twilley.

Twilley says for years her mother did that — until her death in 2015.

“So I decided to pick up the mantle and do it in my mom’s honor,” Twilley.

It’s an annual Christmas tradition that has continued to grow since then.

And now — it’s a community-wide effort that provides gifts — for the staff and student body at A.L. Johnson School.

“This is amazing. You know that we know that Jesus is the reason for the season but it’s a wonderful thing when your community gives back from where they got they’re start from,” school Principal Shemia Wilson.

“I have good community support, I have good alumni support. I have people that flag me side the road, say, Hey Dorell, you gonna do that there this year for the kids at A.L. Johnson? I say, yes,” said Twilley.

“This is a great way to remember our mom, and to give back to our high school and our community,” said Etheridge.