Macon’s ‘Merrie Christmas’ project embraces spirit of the season

The Merrie Christmas Project was born somewhere south of Bolingbroke in the fall of 2019.

Mike Kaplan was traveling on Highway 41 when he noticed a yellow butterfly following his truck. There are those who believe yellow butterflies are the souls of loved ones who have passed away. They represent a symbol of hope for the heartbroken.

Kaplan was a grieving father. His daughter, Merrie, had died late that summer. She was 45. 

Christmas was Merrie’s favorite time of year, and it wasn’t because her name conveniently fit the holiday.  She embodied the spirit of the season.

“We need more Merries in the world,’’ he said. 

A few months later, Kaplan and his wife, Nancy, gave away 100 Christmas trees and wreaths at the Buck Melton Community Center in Macon.

“Since then, the outpouring of support has been beyond anything I could have imagined,’’ Kaplan said. “I’m on this amazing journey. And Merrie is still with me.’’

Now in its seventh year, The Merrie Christmas Project has helped more than 3,500 children and some 1,700 adults through the support and generosity of people making financial contributions in Merrie’s memory.

On Friday, December 12, Kaplan and other volunteers will gather at Walmart on Zebulon Road for the first of five days of helping needy families fill their buggies with toys, educational items, clothes and other necessities. Other dates for The Merrie Christmas Project at Walmart are on December 13, 16, 17 and 22.

Kaplan said each family member’s gift is around $100. To assist with transportation needs, families also receive either a $25 gas card from Walthall Oil, a $25 Uber card or a 30-day bus pass from the Macon Transit Authority.

Selected children are screened and vetted by agencies such as Communities in Schools of Central Georgia and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Heart of Georgia. At-risk youth are rewarded with a  shopping spree upon graduation from District Attorney Anita Howard’s initiative R.I.S.E. (Restoring Inspiration by Success in Education). About 90 families in the R.I.S.E. program are expected at Walmart on Monday, December 22.

In addition to the annual Christmas give-aways, Merrie’s Closet is a year-round program in Bibb County public schools that provides funding for uniforms and other clothing. 

Kaplan said almost 10,000 socks have been given away through Merrie’s Closet over the past five years. There is a sock collection drive at Robins Federal Credit Union during the holidays.  Fans can bring a pair of new socks to the Mercer women’s basketball game against Erskine at Hawkins Arena on December 17 and receive free admission.

Merrie Kaplan was born with a rare genetic condition known as William’s Syndrome. Nancy was a single mom when she met and married Mike Kaplan. She was a Christian. He was Jewish. Mike adopted Merrie when she was 4. He raised her as his own daughter, and she took his last name.  

Because of her genetic condition, the world might have looked at Merrie differently. But she never looked differently at the world. She had this wonderful capacity to make room in her heart for everyone.

That’s why Mike Kaplan never misses the opportunity to share her story with those he calls “Merrie’s families.’’ Most of them never knew her. But he wants to make sure they knew who she was.

 He never questions why he is doing it and who he is trying to help. Like Merrie, the outreach is unconditional.

“It isn’t a charity. It’s a gift,’’ he said. “It’s a gift from Merrie. It’s a gift to be able to provide for your children, because when it comes from you it’s more important. When it comes from you it means more to your child.’’

Kaplan is not a pipe dreamer. He said he understands he won’t solve generational poverty in Bibb County with a single day of shopping.

A friend once told him it goes much deeper than an act of holiday generosity and kindness.

“She said we give them hope,’’ Kaplan said. “If we can help, we should help. They know somebody cares.’’