By this time next week, the Iola and Humboldt town squares will be lit up for the holidays. Toy collecting and preparations for Santas Toy Shop are well underway.
KwiKom Communications has donated the use of their former building on the square for the toy shop this year. The parade, with hundreds of children caroling around the square to bring Santa to town, is planned.
There are hundreds of details and volunteer hours that go into making our town squares a magical Christmas place and bringing Santas Toy Shop to life.
It takes time, talent and treasure to make these two things happen. We think this is an important time of year to bring as much happiness as we can to as many as we can.
So many of us have loved ones who are not here with us during the holiday season. For my family, this is the first year without our dad. The first year without Grandpa Baldy giving hugs and munching on homemade candies. The first year Pa wont be checking on the turkey just to take a little taste to make sure its good.
So many memories of all of Thanksgivings and Christmases past are happy memories, but they can still leave us longing for something that can never be again. For those who are struggling with the loss of a loved one, the holidays can be a very difficult time of year.
We hope to give everyone a place to drive by that is not only beautiful to look at but will remind passersby that they have a community of people who care about them. Each tree that is lit up is a gift from one person to everyone else.
If the weather is nice, we encourage you to take a walk through the town squares and read the cards attached to the trees or displays. It is such a lovely gift to give to others and let them know that you are thinking of them.
Children of all ages love Santas Toy Shop. Each year as we work on bringing the Christmas magic to the storefront, we have a lot of senior citizens who stop in to marvel at the lights and decorations and all of the toys. Sometimes they share stories of the magic they remember from when they were children. Once in a while, one of them will spy a toy and get excited about and when we hand it to them, the sparkle in their eyes is brighter than any lights we have. Sometimes they come back when we are open, just to sit on Santas lap and have a laugh and grab a cookie and a hot chocolate.
All of the things that we do for others at this time of year, we are able to do because of your kindness and your willingness to give and your compassion towards your community and neighbors. We facilitate this at Humanity House because we believe that kindness does truly matter. No matter the age, income, race, religion, or life circumstance, the Christmas lights on the town squares are for you. Santas Toy Shop is for you and your children, or just for you. Bake some cookies and take them to a neighbor, make sure your children help. Every time of year is a great time to show your love for our communities, but this is the time to let that love shine.
Kindness matters!
