The benevolence of Betty Burley

SANDUSKY — Each year in December, especially in the greater Sandusky area, many people go above and beyond to ensure lesser-fortunate community members feel appreciated. And then there are those extra-special souls like Betty Burley. Burley, an Erie County assistant prosecutor assigned to the local government's job and family services department, "undertook a remarkable project to spread Christmas cheer this holiday season for our children in care," according to a posting from the county's children services department. "Betty took many days and hours of her personal time to personally design and sew 59 stockings — one for each child who is currently in agency custody," the post read. "Betty then took her project a step further and launched an initiative to request donations so that the stockings could be filled and delivered full of age-appropriate gifts for the children who would be receiving them." Burley's efforts culminated in $3,500 raised in just one week and "shopped to fill each and every stocking with an abundance of gifts, gift cards and other little trinkets," the post read. This just signifies her never-ending compassion and unrelenting dedication in looking out for local children, said AJ Lill, the deputy director of social programs for job and family services. "These handmade stockings, filled with gifts, will provide these children one more reason to smile on Christmas morning," Lill said. Burley's effort folded into an initiative Lill and his colleagues organize every year: an annual gift drive that benefits about 200 area children in foster care, out-of-home settings and other kids in need. Children in county custody must leave a home setting due to, among other factors, threats potentially compromising their well-being. "I was in awe when looking at the stockings and the generous gifts that Betty organized through her friends and family," Lill said. "It's a testament to the generosity and goodwill that is all around us. Betty is an amazingly kind and generous individual who took on a huge undertaking that will make Christmas extra special for our children in care." In her words Burley provided her own statement about why she organized this initiative: My mom taught me to sew when I was very young. We spent many hours shopping for fabrics together and planning projects. When I was raising a family and going to law school, I didn't have time for hobbies, and I gave my sewing machine away. I bought a sewing machine to do some alterations shortly become the pandemic. When masks were in short supply, I turned every extra sheet and pillowcase in the house into masks for my family and co-workers. I ended up making over 1,000. I made stockings for everyone in the prosecutor's office for Christmas 2020. Through that project, my friends found out that I knew how to sew. I was asked to make stockings that looked like the ones a friend's late mother had made. I made extras and people expressed interest. I saw an opportunity to help raise funds for the foster children. I shared some ideas with AJ Lill at Erie County Department of Job and Family Services. He told me many of the children had probably never had a handmade stocking. I decided to make one for each child in foster care. Each is different. I told a co-worker about the project, and she said it would be a shame to give kids in foster care empty stockings. I asked my Facebook friends to contribute, and we raised $3,500 in about a week. It was wonderful. As the attorney for children services, I know the story of each of these children. I tried to choose a stocking and gifts that I thought they would enjoy. I found new meaning in a world that doesn't always make sense these days. Making the stockings gave me a place to focus on putting something good out in the world. I wanted each of these children to know that they are special. That was my goal. My husband and I have been blessed. This began as a way to bless others, and the love that poured out ended up being the most treasured gift I have ever received.