EDITORIAL: Making Christmas merrier through local volunteers

Posted 12/22/15

Thumbs up to a successful Country Christmas event Dec. 5-7. It was good to see the return of the lighted parade, and most other events were well attended too. We would like to see a return of Santa’s traditional arrival and workshop on the Friday …

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EDITORIAL: Making Christmas merrier through local volunteers

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Today’s editorial is devoted to the local volunteerism that brightens the Christmas season for those in need, and honors community holiday traditions. Several of these efforts have continued, not only for years, but for decades.

Thumbs up to a successful Country Christmas event Dec. 5-7. It was good to see the return of the lighted parade, and most other events were well attended too. We would like to see a return of Santa’s traditional arrival and workshop on the Friday after Thanksgiving next year as well. 

Thumbs up to Powell Troop Support, an effort organized and run by Anne Ruward and Bonny Rouse to ensure active-duty military members with ties to Powell know they’re remembered by the folks at home. 

Earlier this month, with the help of the Powell school district and other local volunteers, Rouse and Ruward loaded up 171 boxes with donated goodies and supplies. As usual, those jam-packed boxes contain generous donations of meat jerky from Roger Beslanowitch. Each of the 40 military members stationed in war zones overseas will receive at least four care packages through Powell Troop Support. What a remarkable way to show them we care.

Thumbs up to Sally Montoya and her army of elves, who work tirelessly to put together Christmas baskets for families in need and help distribute them. They also organize and run “Sally’s Boutique,” where people can get good, secondhand clothing and household items for the right price: free of charge. Both efforts make a merry Christmas more likely for many families who are  struggling to make ends meet.  

Our only thumbs down of the season is for the recent injury that may prevent, or at least make it difficult, for Montoya to be there when baskets are given away on Wednesday, or later this week at the secondhand boutique that bears her name. Even so, she and the Powell Council for Community Services, under the leadership of Dave Blevins, already had done a lion’s share of the preparation. Volunteers will do the rest of the work in her honor this week.

Thumbs up to all who work during the holidays to make sure our roads and communities are safe. Their selfless service helps us celebrate without worry.

Thumbs up to Donna Schiltz, the winner of Saturday’s Holiday Shopping Spree at Blair’s Market, for donating her free groceries to Crisis Intervention Services. Her gift was in the true spirit of Christmas.

And a big thumbs up to all the rest of you unsung heroes who donate time, money, labor, holiday treats and goodwill to help brighten the Christmas season for those in need of a helping hand or a kind smile.

To conclude, we decided to wrap up our pre-Christmas sentiments a little differently this year. 

’Twas the week before Christmas

’Twas the week before Christmas, and all through our town, 

Big-hearted people erased most every frown. 

They saw a need, and without any pause, 

Did everything they could, just like Santa Claus.

 

A lighted parade filled the streets with bright cheer

And made town people happy, like yesteryear.

School children sang to their delighted crowds,

All doing their best to sing well and sing loud. 

 

In homes, groups and churches, many volunteered

To help their neighbors; the public and newspaper cheered. 

They aided friends and strangers, both near and far;

They sent goodies and gifts and tuned up their cars.

 

Children looked forward to a nice Christmas Day,

And these volunteers helped to make it that way. 

They put toys and goodies in baskets, each one a winner

And sent with each family a delicious Christmas dinner. 

 

Two women gathered gifts for soldiers far away,

And sent boxes with wishes — by plane instead of sleigh.

They mailed the boxes to those so far from home,

And that way made sure they felt less alone. 

 

Some sent Christmas in boxes to kids overseas,

To lessen their hardship and to answer their pleas. 

Others helped their neighbors much closer in miles,

Lifting their burdens and sharing their smiles.

 

In Sally’s Boutique worked an army of elves;

They’re Sally’s slaves, as they call themselves.  

Shopping costs nothing in Sally’s Boutique; 

In all of the world, that store is unique. 

 

We’re thankful to live in a community where

The joy of the season is something we share. 

The only thing better, we’d like to make clear,

Would be keeping this going throughout the new year. 

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