Christmas in Blanchard

StoneRidge resides in a small unincorporated town called Blanchard. They call themselves "The little town that thought it could... and is proving it can!". In area the town is quite large, but our "downtown" is about 1 block long. We have 1 gas station and "Easy Stop". There's a libarary, a post office, Wash n' Dry, Tavern & Pizza place and the Blanchard Inn restaurant. What else could we possibly need. Well, the residence of this small town are very busy. The unofficial mayor of our town managed to get a grant from the state and we now have a very up-to-date Senior Center. It's got a full kitchen, offices and lots of room for all types of activities and there's always something going on there, especially around the holidays.

Each year the B.A.S.I.C. (Blanchard Area Seniors InCorporated) has a Christmas Party for the residents. They collect toys all year to be given out at the party. Volunteers make chili, corn bread, desserts and bring drinks. Everyone in the area is invited.

This year our Mammas on a Mission group decided we could like to help. We solicited help from our StoneRidge pals for toys, food and help during the party. Needless to say, there was a wonderful response. The party was on December 6th from 1-4pm. Volunteers started setting up the Friday before. Most of us arrived at noon to get the food and drinks set up.

It appeared that there were mostly adults until about 3pm which is when Santa was to arrive.

Each child was able to sit on Santa's lap, then pick 3 toys. 1 hand held, 1 stuffed animal and then a boy's or girl's gift.

I was helping out getting names and phone numbers of the kids so we could get a picture of them with Santa to their families. I still get teary-eyed thinking about the reactions from those kids. Some of these families are very poor, so this could very possibly have been the only Christmas gifts these kids would get.

One little girl was sitting on Santa's lap when her father asked her why she wasn't talking to Santa? She said, "I'm so excited to see him, I forgot what I wanted. This is the most exciting thing in my life!" and with that she just turned and hugged Santa one more time.


Because I was working with one of the B.A.S.I.C. ladies, I was made privy to some background of our "Santas". As it turned out the 2009 Santa was a novice. He was replacing a gentleman who took the role every year the past 30 years. Unfortunately, he was suffering from Alzheimer's and wasn't able to continue. I was told that last year he cried the whole time, somewhere in his consciousness he knew that he wouldn't be coming back again. The ladies had to tell the kids that Santa was just very happy to see them as a reason for his tears.

Our new Santa was incredibly nervous in his new role causing him a couple of sleepless nights prior to the party. But he did very well and is looking forward to continuing each year. By the end of the afternoon about 40 children and 20 adults had their pictures taken with Santa.


To be sure I will be a part of next years party.