Christmas comes early at Wal–Mart
Published: December 17, 2005
People crammed into the Wal–Mart training and personnel room Friday evening, watching as seven youth were given gifts from a youthful Santa.
Three–year–old Randall Wagler was more interested in a few balloons decorating the room than his gifts. The Burlington boy would pull a pair of balloons down, then release them, watching the red and white rubber speed to the ceiling.
He’d laugh and grab the strings to play again.
Employees Denise Rice and Julie Horn, who run the Children’s Miracle Network activities and fundraising at Wal–Mart, came up with the idea for an employee–funded Christmas for randomly selected CMN youth.
Over the last few weeks, employees have gotten to know the youth by reading their histories and buying items for them for the holidays. By Friday evening, stockings were overflowing with toys, coloring books, stuffed animals, compact discs, bath products and more.
“This is really neat,” parent Joyce Buckles said.
Her 14–year–old daughter, Jolene, was born with spina bifida, a condition where her spinal column didn’t close completely during the pregnancy. Spina bifida can affect the brain as well as the spine, but Jolene has other handicaps as well, Buckles said.
“She’s a very independent woman,” she said with pride. “She was so excited to get here.”
Jolene remained excited when her turn came to look at her sock full of gifts.
“Hey, look at this mom,” she said repeatedly, her excitement growing with every gift. “Thank you,” she told present Wal–Mart employees.
Seven–year–old Alyssa Steward was pretty excited about the gifts as well.
“I’ve never seen Santa before,” the Burlington girl said as she walked into the room.
Her younger sister, 2–year–old Rylee Steward, also was fascinated with Santa and the stockings.
“The baby is sleeping,” she said looking at Pebbles Flintstone, who was peeking out of the bag. “Can I get the baby out of the bag?”
Later, she yelled out from the back of the room, “Hey Santa. Santa! I want Dora the Explorer.”
After her sister was done receiving her gifts, the 2–year–old noted Santa hadn’t given her anything, but Alyssa said she planned to share.
“Not this pillow though,” she said, crushing a beanie pillow shaped like a raccoon to her chest. “I’ll share the My Little Pony.”
And maybe she’d share Pebbles, who had ended up in her stocking.
Fifteen–year–old Ashley Oetken said she loved everything she found in her stocking.
“I think this was pretty cool,” the Burlington teen said. “I never had anything like this before. … It was awesome.”
Other Wal–Mart gift recipients were Beki Garrett, 15, of Oakville, Sofie Conrad, 1 1/2, of Burlington, and Logan Staley, 8, of Mediapolis, who was unable to attend.
Next year, the Wal–Mart employees would like to double the number of youth who receive gifts. However, in order to do so, the pair need people to step forward with their children.
Because of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act laws, the employees can’t call the children’s hospitals for children’s names.
Those interested in being listed with the Children’s Miracle Network call Wal–Mart and ask for Rice or Horn.
The pair are trying to come up with ideas for birthdays, Easter and other holidays for Children’s Miracle Network youth.
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