Christmas Wish

I'm back. I'm sitting here with mixed emotions...there are a couple routes I could take here. I decided on this one. Today I would like to talk about Christmas. Not far out of the ordinary, especially after the last post, but bear with me folks. You see its like this. Everyday my day begins the same. I get up, I get dressed ( I shower at night for those of you holding your noses), I go to work. Once I get to work I put my steel toed butt kickers on (work boots), I dress all warm and fuzzy and I turn on the Mp3 player. I start off everyday the same way. At first I tune to 98.7 and listen to the entertainment news and the daily celebrity challenge ( I have won several times). After all of this has ended I turn to KBER 101 for my daily dose of Bob and Tom. Lately though, I find my routine taking a different course. For the last few weeks B98.7 has been doing what they call the Christmas Wish. I find it both remarkable and incredible what they do and have done with this program. They recieve hundreds of letters and emails about people in need. These are often written by family members, but have been known to be written by neighbors or even people they work with. The letters themselves are very warm and heartening. After the letters have been read, they choose a family to visit every day until the day the jolly fat man visits. This is where i really pay attention. Im not a softie, so you can stop now with the awwws and the ooohhhss. I truly believe though that they have hit it on the head with this program. There is a group of people that show up in the early morning hours fighting the cold and often the elements to make a wish come true for a different family each day. The gifts are always different and the letters are never alike, but the meaning is there. The Christmas Wish is sponsored by Kurt Benson Motors. This man has done a wonderful thing. Shawn Stevens is the radio personality responsible for entering the houses and wishing the families a Merry Christmas. He really gets into it. His emotions are true and his message is the same ..."Pass it on". There have been families who have disabled children. Parents out of work and worried about Christmas for their children. A single father with several children who had recently lost his wife to cancer. These are all people deserving of this program. I applaud this radio station for taking the time and the energy needed to see this through each year.

They of course are not the only ones. Today I heard a story about two girls in West Jordan. These girls are 8 and 9, and have for the past couple of years set up cardboard boxes in different locations to collect clothing, toys, food and cash to help the homeless and those living in shelters. Well done little angels.

One of our own ( I wont name a name) along with her brood of elves has done a wonderful job making blankets. Kitty blankets to be exact. These will be used for new kitty's adopted at the animal shelter. She has not only done a service for the community but shown her children the art of unselfishness. Wonderful!!

Rupert, the old guy that never could win survivor, has started a charity called Rupert's Kids. He takes donations, items that can be used or auctioned off, and clothing and uses it to support a camp for children. These kids are getting a summer experience they wouldnt otherwise get. I know this isnt exactly Christmas, but he does a wonderful service and he deserves a little recogniton.

Finally, but only barely, The Angel Tree. This is a program sponsored by KUTV and has been going for many years. Its simple, you pick a child from the Angel Tree and grant their wish. Most times these are small items..a pair of gloves, shoes, maybe a coat. Toys are not uncommon, and books are always wanted as well. Its a simple thing, and it rarely costs much. I know in todays economy times are tough. I understand all to well being strapped for cash. I have done the Angel Tree for five years now, and couldnt see breaking tradition this year. I picked a little girl who needed a new backpack. I hope she likes Dora the Explorer. You can find the Angel Tree at any Macy's location or any branch of Cypres Credit Union. This program is also sponsored by The Salvation Army.

I dont know how many of you recieved a letter in your inbox about a coat drive for the Granger High School Alumni Association, but I would like to take these last few sentences to ask you to please consider helping. There are teenagers and other kids out there with no means of staying warm in the winter. We all know (those of us that went to Granger) that some of those classrooms are always cold. There were others that were always hot too. But thats neither here nor there....this is a valid attempt at clothing those who need it. Please look through your old coats and mittens. Got any old BYU stocking hats laying around that even the dog wont wear?? How about an old 49'ers coat that you cant wear out of embarassment? Anything will help and everything is appreciated.

The coat/clothing drive info is..Contact: Brent Newton, 801 957-1779; Brent1966@aol.com

I hope I didnt come off as preaching there folks. I know you all have families and I know you all work hard to stay ahead. I only ask that at this time of year we all remember the true meaning and the true spirit of the holiday by helping our fellow man in any way possible. I would like to end with a heartfelt thank you and and warmest holiday wish to all the men and women serving in todays armed forces. Overseas or at home...doesnt matter. They have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and liberties. Its a debt of gratitude that can never be repayed.

I wish you all the best life can bring you. Be good to yourselves and others. Throw snowballs at those you dont like, and remember....please dont eat the yellow snow.

Until next time...Brandon