Dexter, Missouri - "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!"  County Wide Insurance is known to give back to the community and this year is no different.

With the holiday season fast approaching, the employees have been generously donating canned and non-perishable foods to the Stoddard County Gospel Mission.  At their annual Christmas luncheon employees brought toys to be donated to the Mission as well.

"I can't imagine a child waking up on Christmas morning with absolutely nothing to open," stated one County Wide Insurance employee.  "It just breaks my heart."

Each year County Wide employees come together to donate to different charitable organizations.  This year, along with the toys and food, employees took up a collection at work and donated money in Alan Hedrick's name to the Trinity United Methodist Church Children's Youth Group located in Bloomfield.

Hedrick opened his Christmas card in front of everyone and was humbled by their generosity.  He smiled and said, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I thank you."

Shown in the photo are Dave Ellinghouse, County Wide Insurance employees and Kim Slavings, Director of the Stoddard County Gospel Mission.  Photo provided by Zach Hedrick, County Wide Insurance employee.