It sure is hard to believe that it’s November already, especially with the weather Mother Nature has been giving us. But it won’t be long, and most of us will be panicking because our Christmas shopping is lagging, and there’s no time to get things done.
One way to put the beauty of the season into warm smiles is to become a Hilltop Elf, or Santa. Hilltop Neighborhood House has so many children and families who are struggling to make ends meet, yet continue to try to remain a family. As a Hilltop Elf, you could help a child have a memorable and happy Christmas by providing a special gift to put under the Christmas tree. There are 150 children from babies to teenagers who would love to be adopted by you. Or as Santa, you can make the holidays extra happy by adopting a whole family by sharing basic needs including housewares and clothing.
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There is a third way you can be a special helper, and that is to be a Hilltop Reindeer and adopt a Hilltop Classroom. There is so much need for school and craft supplies for the teachers to share with their little ones such as markers, crayons, paper, chalk, stencils, balls of all kinds, dolls, and even toothbrushes and tooth paste.
Or if you don’t want to do the shopping, you can be a Christmas Angel with a financial donation that will be greatly appreciated too. You can even volunteer yourself to wrap and deliver gifts to the Hilltop Families.
Boy, with all that to choose from, there has to be some way to put a smile on your face by giving. Please call 477-4222, or go to hilltophouse.org to be part of the Jingle Bells Program. Go ahead, make yourself happy.
The Opportunity Enterprises tenth annual art show and auction will be held in a different location this year, as the Chesterton Art store has closed. It will be held on Thursday, November 18 at the Christopher Center Library on Valparaiso University campus from 6 to 8:30p.m. The art show is free and open to the public, but there will be amazing art created by amazing OE clients, including ceramics and glassware, that you may want to purchase.
You will also enjoy live music and desserts while you browse all the variety of art items. For parking information, please check out oppent.org/art2016. Every year, I am truly amazed at the talent many of the artists have, and always seem to find something very special by someone very special. Who knows, in 21/2 hours on November 18th, you may be able to do most of your Christmas shopping.
He was an exceptionally kind man who I had never seen before, nor did I know his name. But in a small amount of time, he became my helper and hero all wrapped up in one. His name is “Pete” Petro.
Last Saturday, as I was checking out at Town and Country grocery store at the self check area, I felt a tap on my shoulder, just as I had taken my little zipper pouch out of my pocket so I could pay. When I turned around, it was one of my former students, Aaron Hanchar, and his mom whom I hadn’t seen for a long time.
I laid my pouch down to give them both a hug, and chat. All of a sudden Aaron said “No, wait — that guy just stole your wallet” , and went after him.
I ran out and started following the perpetrator, calling to him to just throw my pouch down. He kept going, and so did I, and suddenly I heard another voice saying, “Hey, give her back her money.” It was such a relief to know someone else was with me.
We kept getting closer to him, but not close enough to grab him. I realized I had my cell phone with me, and called 911. The dispatcher was far more calm than I was, and kept me telling her where we were, and describing the thief. As we gained on him after about 10 minutes, he suddenly threw my pouch down and kept going, and Pete ran and got it.
That’s when the officer showed up, and after putting the guy in his car, and getting all our information, he drove us back to the store where a group of people were waiting for the outcome. I was so grateful to my hero, and he would not let me reward him with anything but a thank you. Both he and Aaron were gifts to me, and I know my angel was shoving me along on our “chase”. I learned an important and sad lesson too, and that is there are cautionary measures to take to avoid being a victim, but even more importantly, I learned that even a stranger can be your angel.
Aaron and Pete, you are my pet persons of the week for your caring and actions. I will be forever grateful.
And I hope all of you learn a lesson from this too. I also hope you have a great day because you deserve it. Thanks for reading. Fly your flag.
Lorrie Woycik is a freelance columnist for the Post-Tribune.