DECEMBER 22, 2021 www.wintertexantimes.com 16 WINTER TEXAN TIMES Call Today For Your Free Estimate Call Mark Anytime At 956-357-1048 WE WANT TO BUY YOUR TRUCK•CAR•SUV•VAN RVTRAVELTRAILER•5THWHEEL•MOTORHOME•BUS CARGO OR FLATBEDTRAILER•ATV•MOTORCYCLE•BOAT MINI-MOTOR HOME•CAMPERVAN•TOYHAULER •GOLF CART WE WANT TO BUY YOUR RV PETE’S MOBILE HOME SUPPLY TRANSPORT • Door & Windows • Plumbing & Electric • Vinyl Skirting & Tie Downs • Custom Steps made of Wood and Metal • Sales and Installations • Used Mobile Homes Sales Financing Available petecotransport@gmail.com 2911 N Cesar Chavez Rd. San Juan, TX 78589 Ph: (956) 787-2847 or (956) 787-0413 We Buy Mobile Homes toys and organizing the shopping was ARVP’s Colleen Benoit. She chose 10 park volunteers to help her spend over $3,000 in donations from the park’s church, ARVP RC Racers and individual residents. In less than an hour, each shopper had purchased up to 45 toys for their assigned age group and gender. “Christmas gift giving, and Santa is all about kids,” Colleen said. “I enjoy giving back to my winter community and doing something to help low-income parents get through the holiday season. I’m sure this is true for all of the volunteers here.” After the shopping was completed, Colleen organized a group of over 30 park volunteers to sort hundreds of toys into designated boxes for delivery to the Lodge. The park’s church and a Helping Hands group collected toys, too, so those were added to the containers. Everyone seemed happy with the event. “So many people told me how wonderful the event was… just like an Old-Time Christmas Party!” Colleen said. “They said it was well organized and went so very smoothly. “It was more than giving money for the volunteers, it was taking part [in the action] and seeing the joy, as well as sharing in the excitement of a children’s Christmas Party.” Others liked the feeling of having a single purpose. “That’s what it’s all about …,” Eli said, “being there for each other and the coming together.” Some of the children’s enthusiasm couldn’t be contained. Santa’s wife (Maggie Biedekapp) watched a five-year-old come through the door with his father. Then the child spotted Santa. “The little boy came running,” she said. “We heard the little guy cry, ‘Santa! Santa! Santa! Santa!’ “Then he barreled into Tripp!” she said. “The little fellow was hugging Santa and hugging him and hugging him. All the time his head was burSANTA From pg. 2 ied in that white beard.” Like the hundreds who would sit on Santa’s lap, the little boy heard the “Ho! Ho! Ho!” Before long Santa was challenging the five-yearold to match that famous Christmas greeting. The boy gave it his best try – just as other children before him have done. Some a bit softly and tentatively. Some robustly. Almost all of Santa’s lap sitters, joining in the “ho, ho” merriment. Tripp said he can’t help but feel their joy. “It doesn’t get any better than this,” said the Jolly Old Gent. During the Santa’s Posada celebration children stayed busy with ornament making, oversized game playing and cookie decorating. (Photo by Dennis Zanetti) (Photo by Dennis Zanetti)
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