
This November marks the third annual "Live Thankfully!" food drive, founded by the couple. What started merely as a way to give out turkeys to a dozen or so families in need evolved into a month-long charity event benefiting families living in Como, an impoverished neighborhood of Fort Worth.
"When John moved his office to the inner city area four years ago, he had a vision of doing something radical for the nearby residents," Alison Kelley says of her spouse. "His heart beats heavy for this. John and I have been married for 19 years and are blessed with 4 children; one was adopted from Russia with special needs, and another is dyslexic, so we can relate to families dealing with hardships. Through Live Thankfully, John is extending the smiles he helps craft at work every day out the office doors and into the hearts of all kinds of people."
The entire event begins with Alison visiting eight partnering schools and asking counselors for 10 families who will need financial assistance to celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday with their loved ones. "They don't release names, just how many families have requested help. Confidentiality and privacy are very important to us." Each school then sets up anywhere from a one- to three-week can drive, while over at Kelley Orthodontics and more than 30 other affiliated dental offices, patients are let in on the surprise and asked for contributions in any way possible, "from donating cans to volunteering…the schools are hungry for volunteers, of all ages!"
Five days prior to Thanksgiving, volunteers come and participate in the "Party With a Purpose," hosted at Southwest Christian School, and pack donated items for the upcoming delivery. After a word of prayer, the packing begins.
Each family receives one turkey, side dishes and two bags of groceries. "Last year, we packed more than 15,000 items in 1,000 bags! If I had to describe our community party in one word, that word would be overcoming…or indescribable."
Finally, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the big day comes: delivery day. "Everyone meets over at Christ Chapel Bible Church, bags are stored in cars, and we're on our way!" Many schoolteachers, faculty and principals come out to help.
Sheila Lashley, the counselor at Lily B. Clayton elementary, commented about delivery day: "Whether the families come to pick up their Thanksgiving meal and groceries or have it delivered by one of our staff members, we see the look of gratitude on their face and are told repeatedly that Thanksgiving would not happen for their family without the generous donation. I value Live Thankfully because it reaches out to our community and serves the community we live in!"
The Kelleys aren't slowing down anytime soon. In fact, they're just getting started: "John's goal is to be active with 85 schools and churches over three years."