I would like to take this time to emphasize that Neosho Police Department Sgt. Dan Cook is asking not only for donations, but also for volunteers for the annual Shop with a Cop program.

Folks, this is the time for giving and sharing our wealth.

About seven years ago, when I was working at Smith Foods in Joplin, I started to set aside money and even asked for donations. Then the day before Christmas, I took the donations that I received and went to Wal-Mart on 15th Street. It was very, very cold, as the winter wind blew across the parking lot and close to the front doors. As I approached the door, there was a Salvation Army bell ringer dressed in a coat and scarf with gloves on her hands.

The donations amounted to only a few dollars, but I dropped the donations into the red kettle. I was always taught to try to give back to the community. Even though my donation might have been small, it adds up quick. Just think what a person could buy with those few dollars. They could buy some canned food, sandwich meat or even a blanket to keep warm. The opportunities are endless.

I’ve said it once and I will say it again, Southwest Missouri is a very generous place to live. Neighbors have helped each other out in tragedies, helped to feed residents and have done other kind acts. For instance, just look at the efforts of individuals and businesses who contributed food and money to the Newton County Food Basket Brigade. The smiles on the faces of the more than 950 families, comprising of more than 3,000 individuals, showed that they were very happy to have received the food.

So, please empty your car’s change holder, look for loose change in the couch or chair and donate it to a worthy cause. 

Don’t have any money, but have a lot of clothes to donate? No problem. You can donate them to our and the Salvation Army’s Share Your Christmas project. There are four deserving families (see stories and advertisements in the Neosho Daily News), where the families are in need of clothing and other staples to help during the Christmas season.

o o o

Keeping up with the Christmas season, it reminds me of a time when I was about 7 or 8 years old. Greg and I would not go to bed on Christmas Eve. Mom and Dad tried everything to get us asleep. As Mom was in our bedroom – and Dad in the front room watching TV – we heard someone on the snowy roof. Mom said, “You hear that? I bet that it is Santa Claus.”

She was right. Pretty soon, we heard “Ho, ho, ho, Merry Chriiiiiiistmas.” Santa had slipped on the ice / snow on the roof and traveled down a few feet, catching himself before falling on the ground below.

You know what Greg and I did? We quickly went to bed. Thank goodness Santa Claus was fine.

The next morning, we awoke and walked into the family room where the Christmas tree was decorated with gifts under the tree and stockings near the fireplace.

Santa Claus had definitely been there – and survived his brush of sliding down the roof for a few feet.

So kids, remember on Christmas Eve when your parents tell you to go to bed early, fall asleep fast. Santa Claus will make his stops.

Merry Christmas to all. Have a safe and happy holiday and remember to stay warm.