On Thursday of last week, I was driving towards Ridley’s when I noticed flashing police car lights at Bi-Mart. Always curious, I wondered what was going on and then I remembered that the Ho-Ho Express for the Annex children was taking place. I didn’t need anything at Bi-Mart at the moment, but I was determined to think of something to buy so I could justify going in to watch the event.
If there was nothing else going on this Christmas Season, stepping into the store and listening to the children’s giggles, squeals, laughter, and joy would have made my Holidays. Watching the kids search the store for “treasures” for themselves and others, was amazing. Seeing a little girl walking out to show her “elf” the sparkly shoes she had found and then dancing back into the shopping aisle was delightful.
Thursday’s event involved about 90 children and their accompanying “elves”. On Saturday, the Ho-Ho Express took about 250 Weiser kids and their “elves” to Walmart.
The Ho-Ho Express involves more people than most realize. Of course, Santa is at each event. He instructs the kids that the money they are allotted can be spent on anything they want for whoever they want – even themselves. In addition to Santa, there is an “elf” assigned to every one or sometimes two children to keep track of the spending and the kid(s). There are also the bus drivers, the escorting police, the adults helping with wrapping the presents when the kids get back to the schools, the store employees who help find specific requests, and other helpers, all playing a part in providing these children a special Christmas.
And of course, there are the donors without which none of this would be possible.
The spirit of generosity in this community is huge and is one of the many reasons to love Weiser. In this community, thinking of other’s needs seems to be more important than thinking just about ourselves.
It is surprising where this attitude shows up sometimes. Last week, a young boy who appeared to be about 9-years old came into City Hall to drop off his family’s utility bill because he didn’t want his mother to have to get out of car. When Natisha McDaniel asked the boy if he was excited for Santa coming, he responded by saying he was, but went on to say Santa was not the true meaning of Christmas, Christ’s birth was. He then went on – that he appreciated whatever he got for Christmas, because thought was put into the gift and that thought was what made the gift special and meaningful. He kept going along this line quite a bit further. I’m told that the young man came across as quite genuine, rather than repeating something he had heard. He had the office staff floored.
This example may seem a bit unusual, but I believe that this boy did not pick this attitude up in a vacuum. It is my opinion that the same unselfish attitude was displayed at home and I don’t think it is a stretch to think it was also absorbed from his community.
I bring up all of this to say Thank You! to all of you who make up this community called Weiser! The spirit of generosity, caring, and helpfulness is evident all year and especially this time of year. This spirit is a big factor in making Weiser the safest small town in America. We are a community that watches out for each other in so many ways. I feel privileged to live here and to be able to serve you! Weiser is a great community!
OK, moving on to City news. The Electrical Department is looking for a journeyman lineman. If you, or anyone you know is qualified, please come into City Hall or contact Wayne Wallace directly at 208-550-1595 for more information.
Also, the Street Department is in the process of completing the alley clean-up for the year. Leaf pickup has been completed. If you did not get your leaves into the street be vacuumed up, please do not place them in the alley. Dispose of them on your own. If the leaves are placed in the alley, the city crew must separate them before they can be taken to the dump. Both the leaf pickup and alley clean-up are provided as free service to you, so ask you now to please do your part with any remaining leaves.
Well, that’s it for this week. May you have a very Merry and Joyful Christmas!
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