I am having myself a Merry Little Christmas, thanks to all of you I've been able to meet this past week.
But first, a story about our giving community. Santa Claus, AKA former mayor Tony Brown, makes several appearances during the holiday season. One of them was to the Keystone United Methodist Church's Pancake Breakfast. A 10-year-old boy and his mother approached him. When Santa asked what he wanted for Christmas, he said, "A pair of tennis shoes." He jumped down off Santa's lap and showed him that both of his shoes were detached at his toes.
After they left, Santa asked his helper to go and get their name and address because he wanted to make sure this young man got a new pair of tennis shoes.
He tracked down their information from the pastor and went to their home, explained who he was and asked for the boy's shoe size. In his conversation with the mom, he learned she was the only one in the family who could work because dad was on disability. Too, they were caring for his mother who had just began chemotherapy treatments for cancer.
In sharing this story with me, I, too, wanted to help so I called Rose Owens who, along with her daughter, VeRonica Owens spearheads the shoe department at the annual Community Church's "Back-to-School" event in late July. I shared the family's circumstances with her and she, indeed, followed up with a size 5 pair of shoes. As a member of the Rotary Club of Keystone Heights, we donate to the shoe department each year and I felt confident this would be something that would speak to Rose and VeRonica's heart. Sure enough.
But the giving doesn't stop there. Santa Claus also shared this story with Tina Bullock, member of the Keystone Kiwanis club. Santa told this story at their last meeting. They took up a collection totalling $196. Santa had learned that this little man liked Legos so he was going to make sure he got a box of Legos and was putting the balance of the money on a Walmart gift card so there was enough left to buy Christmas dinner.
The giving doesn't stop there, either. Tina Bullock shared the story with Erica Bassett with the Keystone Heights Jaycees. They applied for and received a Round Up grant from Clay Electric in the amount of $10,000. They put him on their list to receive a new bicycle.
And guess what? On Wednesday, one of Santa's "friends" delivered all of the above to a young man and his family.
Somewhere in Keystone Heights, there's a young boy wearing a new pair of tennis shoes, learning to ride a new bike and looking forward to Christmas dinner.
Are you feeling good about our community, now? I am. I love Keystone Heights. Thanks to Santa Claus, the Kiwanis Club, the Keystone Heights Jaycees, local attorney VeRonica Owens, Rose Owens, Community Church and Clay Electric. What an inspirational story for us all.
WHERE WAS THE MAYOR THIS WEEK?
Goodness. Everywhere.
I celebrated former mayor Mary Lou Hildreths' presentation of her Certified Municipal Clerk designation. It's a big deal and the City of Hampton is better for it. In his comments, Mayor Don Williams recognized her for her achievements and credited her for bringing the City of Hampton into compliance and welcoming a new growth period for the city. Great attendance at their meeting.
I encourage you to say, "yes", to any meal invitation you may get from City Manager Scott Kornegay. He, City Clerk Lynn Rutkowski and staff put on a delicious luncheon for council, staff, our city attorney and our special magistrate. But Mr. Kornegay's fried shrimp and grits? On point. His secret to great grits? Cheese and Rotel tomatoes. They were delicious.
On a personal note, I was able to take grand baby Mila to the Keystone Heights Library for its Christmas program, and OK, I am that grandmom who, if her grandchild wants to run around and be center stage? Yep, I let her. There was no sitting still for Mila. Chris Peterson does an amazing job and all of her volunteers are wonderful. They participated in the 12 Days of Christmas which was great fun for all.
One of my favorite visits so far was the Christmas luncheon at the Senior Center. Those folks like to hug. I like to hug. I don't think they could have packed one more body in the building. It was standing room, only. Many people - and I mean, many people - told me it was because of LaVerne Lanier. She, single handedly, has brought new life to seniors in our area. One senior was moved to tears to thank her because the Senior Center has become her home-away-from home. If you want to feel inspired? Head on over to the Senior Center and see what's happening there.
I want to give a shout out to KHHS Key Club for volunteering to serve lunches. Awesome job guys. And to their sponsor, English teacher Michelle Wacha, you rock.
Last stop this week was a visit to Keystone Airport. The Rotary Club of Keystone Heights is sponsoring the Mayor's Ball. We're raising funds to build a trailhead for the St. Augustine-Lake Butler trail. Thank you to Maria Hitt for helping us get a lay of the land. Seems like a staggering climb but we'll bite it off one piece at a time.
And so, it is Christmas.
My hope for you and yours is that this is a time of joy, unity and love. And until, next year...Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa.
We are one.