Christmas spirit seen in new and familiar faces

Posted 12/24/19

There were some new faces helping out with this year’s Christmas Basket program, but for many, the volunteer effort to help Powell citizens in need of assistance is a yearly passion.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Christmas spirit seen in new and familiar faces

Posted

There were some new faces helping out with this year’s Christmas Basket program, but for many, the volunteer effort to help Powell citizens in need of assistance is a yearly passion.

Santa’s sleigh — disguised as a 16x8 trailer pulled by a giant 4x4 truck — idled before dawn at Mr. D’s Food Center to receive more than 100 large boxes containing Christmas dinner. About 15 City of Powell employees flooded the parking lot at 6 a.m. to load the fixin’s and transport them to the National Guard armory, where even more packages of gifts for children awaited.

City Administrator Zack Thorington finds it important to help.

“It’s always for the kids,” he said. “Powell residents always look out for each other.”

For Bill Gullion, a heavy equipment operator, volunteering during the holiday season has become routine. He’s been on hand every year for his 36 years with the city. A man of few words, Gullion said he likes to help because it simply makes him feel “good.”

The work of toting heavy boxes was a little easier this year. “Last year there was a lot more than this.”

The trend of those seeking assistance is slowly dropping. This year, 112 families applied for assistance, down 18 from 2018 and down more than 30 from 2017.

“To me that’s a good sign,” said Ann Sanders, one of six volunteers who now run the program. “We did a lot of canvassing, so we’re hopeful it means there’s not as many families in need.”

This is the first year for the new Christmas Basket administrators — Terry and Jan Cronin, Howard and Ann Sanders, and Donna Putney and Mike Giese — and they have their boots on the ground as leaders in the effort. Like all the volunteers, the work isn’t done for accolades, but rather because it’s important to share the Christmas spirit.

Shriners and Key Club members, school children and teachers and many other groups and individuals came through the day to lend a hand. And, of course, Sally Montoya and her elves were handy through the process.

Montoya’s gang of do-gooders handled all the gifts for children from Toys for Tots. New bikes, stuffed bears, board games and fishing poles — just to name a few — were gathered and carefully distributed according to wish lists. Sally is finishing her 70th year of faithful volunteer work in the city, despite not moving as fast.

“It’s been a long road. But I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” Montoya said while watching the process come together seamlessly and reminiscing about years gone by.

“We’ve met a lot of people,” she said. “Some are gone now and new people keep coming to help.”

It is the first year Montoya didn’t organize her famous namesake boutique, but she refuses to stay at home as long as she can get herself to the armory. She gives all the credit to the people of Powell. “Keep up the good work. This is important,” she said.

“We’re here to support her this year,” said Michael Montoya, Sally’s son. He has decades of volunteering under his belt as well. “I know she wants to do it forever.”

As hard as it is, Michael Montoya knows the time has come for Sally and her elves to slow down.

He’s also excited to see the Christmas spirit in many new volunteers. The “spark” will live through them in the same way it inspired his family and friends through the many years.

“This is what Christmas is — giving back to the community,” Michael Montoya said.

Sally and her elves will gather as one for a Christmas meal, much as they have done for years — just in a different place. But for her dedicated group, giving is Christmas. “We’ll have the family together. But this is everything right here,” Michael said, pointing to volunteers scurrying to get ready for the crowds. “This here is what makes us the community we are.”

Comments