By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



A local business owner is doing his part to help an area agency this Christmas.

Mitch Ross, owner of Nx Level Fitness in Fultondale, is selling Christmas trees at his gym, located at 904 Decatur Hwy., and at the old Copeland’s location on U.S. 280 in Birmingham.

Those who bring in five canned goods get $5 off the price of one of Ross’s fraser fir trees. The canned food will then be donated to the Jimmie Hale Mission.

Ross has holding the tree sale and canned food drives for the past 12 years, he said.

“The Bible says feed the hungry and this is my way of feeding the hungry,” Ross said. “They’re [the Jimmie Hale Mission] is just a very good organization that can take the drunk or the drug addict off the street and provide them with the ability to get their life together.”

Ross said he ordered about 600 trees this year and he’s already sold about 400. He said even if residents don’t need a tree, he’ll be happy to take donations for the Jimmie Hale Mission.

Jimmie Hale Mission Executive Director and Warrior resident Tony Cooper called Ross a “longtime friend” of the mission and said Ross is the only person who has been grandfathered in to do third-party fund-raising for the organization.

“Our policy is now that other than Mitch, if it’s financial, we don’t let people collect money for us,” Cooper said.

Cooper said about 175 people would be receiving assistance from the mission during the holiday season.

The non-profit charity organization was formed in 1944 and provides food, clothing and shelter to those in need.

The program also has three residential facilities, one of which — Royal Pines — is located in Hayden.

The mission also offers recovery programs for substance abuse and vocational rehabilitation. Cooper said the program has already helped at least 70 people find jobs this year. “Our product of the Jimmie Hale Mission is changed lives,” he said.

Cooper said canned food is always needed at the shelters, as are gift cards that can be used at grocery stores to buy perishable food items. Other needs include winter clothing like coats, sweaters, sweatshirts and hats.

Cooper said monetary donations are always welcome. Those who wish to donate can do so by sending a check or by donating through the mission’s Web site.

The mission also operates four thrift stores, including one in Pinson. The stores sell donated items like clothing, household items and furniture. The proceeds from those sales help support the mission.

Cooper said the organization is grateful for any support from the community. “Whether it’s donating financially or in-kind, donors are part of our extended mission family,” he said. “God blesses us and them.”

For more information on the Jimmie Hale Mission or to make a donation, visit www.jimmiehalemission.com.