It's that time of year when Bob and I don our elf hats and join Santa in distributing Christmas gifts to the members of the Black Hills Special Services Cooperative. Each Christmas a generous donor purchases two gifts for each of the persons with a disability who are receiving training and education from the Cooperative. No one will be left gift less during this holiday known for giving. The donor began purchasing gifts when she learned from a staff member that some of the people had no family members to bring them gifts for Christmas. Bob and I became involved in helping with shopping and delivering of the gifts, carefully chosen to match requests and needs.
This year was a beautiful, sunny day. Bob delivered the boxes to the American Legion hall where the employees had decorated for the occasion and were setting up the tables for the food feast. Santa and the guests began arriving. Some were family members joining their children for the celebration.
Joe American Horse began the festivities with blessings and a prayer. He thanked everyone for their part in the occasion, and Special Services for taking care of his foster child's needs. After the meal Santa handed out the gifts to an appreciative group. As I wandered around, looking at the gifts they had received, some said, "How did Santa know this is just what I wanted?"
Each year as we join in with this remarkable group of teachers, aides and pupils for the giving time, I am reminded of how giving gives more to the giver than the receiver, and that's what this holiday is all about.
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