Holiday good will bursting at the seams
Every edition of the Eagle over the last several weeks has been chock-a-block with stories of charitable giving and holiday merriment. Santa is around every corner; thousands of toys have been donated.
Monday’s edition was no exception.
For starters, community editor Paula Grubbs told us about Jim Green, who is affectionately known as “Officer Jim” at Broad Street Elementary School.
Green puts his own time, money and heart into decorating the school for Christmas, creating a winter wonderland for the students, staff and visitors to the school. And every year, the displays get bigger and more elaborate.
“The money is worth the memories,” Green said. “That was the best, to see their reactions to it, I want to give them something to remember when they are 40 years old.”
And it pays off, according to the students.
“They make my school day feel better,” student Annabelle Strausser said of Officer Jim’s decorations. “I love them and they’re beautiful.”
Meantime, over at Robin’s Home, Santa stopped by to bring some holiday cheer to the transitional home for women veterans, where they celebrate by “doing everything you do in a traditional house,” said Robin’s Home founder Mary Chitwood.
Providing a sense of normalcy is important for those living at Robin’s House, especially children.
When asked by Santa what she would like for Christmas, veteran Myeasha Williams, who served in the Army Reserves, said, “Just to see a smile on (my daughter’s) face.”
Williams’ daughter, Norah, 4, beamed.
And at Zion Methodist Church in Buffalo Township, folks with disabilities and their families were treated to an Enchanted Christmas Snowball Dance.
Becky Ross, a co-organizer, said about 150 people registered for the event.
Before the dance, attendees were treated to complimentary makeup and hair sessions provided by area beauticians and hairdressers.
Amy Hudak, a hairdresser in Slippery Rock, and Jessica Dawson, a hairdresser in Gibsonia, said the services can be a “huge confidence booster.”
“Tonight is a night for them to really feel beautiful and have fun,” Hudak said.
These charitable acts can make a huge difference in the lives of the people they touch — and those who give. We applaud the people who make these smiles happen, and encourage everyone to spread holiday cheer now and all year long.
—RJ