According to Dr. Seuss “Welcome Christmas while we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.”
This is definitely what is going on in the little village of Winside. They may be small in numbers, but they make up for it with kindness and compassion by spreading love and joy at Christmas time to everyone they can.
In November, the decorating of the Winside Park kicked off to bring sparkle and shine to all that appear. The idea for lighting up the park all started with Dirk and Kim Jaeger and a group of their friends. Winside was having a Tour of Lights, and they thought it would be fun to light up the park in 2019. The project started with donated lights and decorating the trees by excited volunteers in the community. Each year the lighting continues, and it grows with donations and volunteers. This year, Abby Skokan has taken the lead of carrying on the tradition. Abby said it is truly a labor of love from the community.
Following along with the adage “It takes a village” Winside includes everyone in the community by involving the students from Winside High School. A lot of upgrades and changes have come to the park.
Mackenzie Lamp’s high school art class took out their paint brushes and repainted the lighted figurines. Jeff Kollath’s high school woodworking and construction classes worked together to build Santa a new sleigh. Kollath reported it took about two weeks to complete the project. He said the students took turns sitting in the sleigh and getting into the Christmas spirit. He even heard a few “Ho, Ho, Hos.” The FFA students are busy helping decorating trees in the park and with multiple projects.
Secret Santa is another wonderful community project that has been brightening a family’s Christmas for the past five years. Vicki Owen and her daughter, Rylynn, are Santa’s helpers behind this beautiful project that helps a family that is a little less fortunate.
Information is received and lists are made with items needed for people in the community to purchase. The parents also receive gifts. The volunteers wrap the gifts and return them to the Owen’s house for delivery before Christmas. Vicki Owens said the message from the parents after the children open their presents is so heartfelt.
In addition to Secret Santa, there is a new program titled Christmas Wishes. Melissa Jeffery is the lead elf for this project. She felt the need to help more than one family, so she started with the backpack program, hoping to help make the recipients of this program have a better Christmas. She soon found out more families were in need and could benefit from this project. The expansion of this program was needed.
She then reached out to all the community churches to help homebound citizens and people in nursing care facilities. Businesses stepped up to assist with this project. The Farmer’s Co-op store has a Christmas tree with all the wishes on it for people in the community to take a tag and help fulfill a wish.
The Wildcat Bar has a donation box along with the Wayne County Bank. The bank also has a Christmas Wishes account. Any funds collected will be used to purchase items for the families in need. The Family Thies Locker is working with Jeffery to put together meat bundles for the families. The FFA will be helping with shopping for gifts and wrapping of all items.
This is the fourth year for Santa Claus to make a personal visit to the village of Winside. Everything included for the activities is provided by donations. The wonderful bakers in the community provide their best delicious treats. The Gene Topp Memorial Car Show donates blankets for all children who visit Santa. The children are encouraged to bring their letters for Santa, and he will personally write back to each child.
On Sunday, Dec. 8, the official festivities will take place with Santa Claus coming to town at the City Auditorium from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and the official lighting taking place in the park at 7 p.m.
The village of Winside is a true representation of what Christmas is all about.
