Thursday was Christmas in July for Harold Wages, area coordinator for Toys for Tots. That was when Carol Atwood donated more than 500 Beanie Babies from her personal collection to Toys for Tots.

Atwood, who retired from the Army and moved to Powell three months ago, already has made a big impact on her new community. 

Toys for Tots is a charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The program collects new, unwrapped toys year-round and distributes them as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community. 

Thanks to Atwood’s donation, the local Toys for Tots organization got a head start with its mission this year. Those stuffed toys, in new condition, will brighten Christmas morning for many children throughout the Big Horn Basin in December. 

They certainly put a smile on Wages’ face on Thursday. 

Thursday probably seemed like Christmas in July for Don and Lori Hansen of Powell as well when their son, Bryant Hansen, landed in an Army helicopter at Choice Aviation in Cody.

Bryant Hansen and the other members of the flight crew made the landing in a Chinook helicopter they were ferrying from Texas to Alaska, where Hansen is stationed. 

Hansen has been serving in the Army for nine years, but this is the first time his duties allowed him to make a stop in Cody. The unusual event gave Hansen a chance to see his parents, brother and nephews and provided a timely opportunity for him to meet a newborn nephew, born Wednesday. 

Bonny Rouse of Powell Troop Support also was on hand to greet Hansen, whom she considers one of her “kids.”

Rouse and Ann Ruward, both of Powell, established Powell Troop Support more than 10 years ago. They have been mailing monthly care packages to active-duty military members ever since. Extra effort and community support goes into the effort for Christmas each year, ensuring that active-duty military members will receive extra packages and know they’re remembered by their community during the holidays. 

It’s a labor of love for the two women, attested by the tears in Rouse’s eyes as she hugged Bryant. Thursday’s visit served as a bit of a payback for her tireless efforts through Powell Troop Support. 

Rouse said she has only two “kids” in active duty now. But that will change next month, when 25 more National Guardsmen from the Big Horn Basin will deploy to Afghanistan, followed by another 25 in December. That means more donations for care packages and more money for postage will be needed this year to ensure that active-duty military members receive the care packages they deserve this Christmas.

Let’s follow the examples of Atwood, Rouse and Ruward. It’s not too early to begin planning to brighten someone else’s Christmas this year.