Children’s charity now 50,000 books richer
Published: January 3, 2007
Someone decided it was better to give than to receive this past Christmas and sent Santa Claus a gift.
It took more than a sleigh to deliver the more than 50,000 children’s books donated to Orien Hodges’ Santa’s Children Christmas Charity in Macedonia last week.
And the delivery person almost had to bring the presents down the chimney as an unsuspecting Hodges had no idea the paperbacks and hardbacks were arriving the day after Christmas.
“It was highly unexpected, and that’s what great about it,” said Hodges, who visits terminally ill, homeless and disabled children dressed as St. Nick himself.
Volunteer elves helped unload the books by hand Dec. 27, while several members of the Riverside High School wrestling team assisted in transporting the abundant amount of boxes from the hallway to the more spacious upstairs of the old Macedonia school building, where Santa’s Village is housed.
A total of 300 copies each of 180 titles including “Care Bears,” “Mrs. Claus’ Takes A Vacation” and “Polar Bear Night,” were given to the non-profit children’s charity by Scholastic Publishing in New York.
“It was actually done through the K.I.D.S. program,” Hodges said. “Somehow we were (chosen). I think it’s terrific.”
Santa’s Children has a partnership with Kids in Distressed Situations, or K.I.D.S., which distributes surplus merchandise to charities around the country. Typically, Hodges’ charity has to raise money to pay for 10 percent of the retail value of the merchandise, but the books didn’t cost the Santa’s Children anything.
After reviewing a list of potential recipients, Scholastic chose the Macedonia-based organization to receive the children’s books, valued at approximately $500,000, and paid for the shipping, Hodges said.
“It is a great vote of confidence in our program,” he added.
A portion of the books will go to a couple of metropolitan area hospitals, while some will be kept at Santa’s Village, which is open year-round. The rest of the books will likely be given to local fire departments to distribute to community and school libraries.
Hodges utilizes several area fire departments to help raise money for K.I.D.S. merchandise and this is his way of giving back to them. Referrals of children in crisis who reside in the southwest Iowa region also come through members of the fire departments.
“We are currently in a membership drive to enroll more fire departments as partners with Santa’s Children,” Hodges said. “There are over 1,300 local fire departments in Iowa and Nebraska, and eventually we hope each one will join us.”
A toy drive is currently under way for Santa’s Children at all local area Hy-Vee stores through Jan. 7. Collection boxes are also located at Village Pointe in Omaha in the theater lobby.
The Christmas Village in Macedonia is open through Jan. 7 as well for Santa’s Gift to Children - a free event featuring children’s activities, lighted decorations and shopping opportunities, which help support the charity.
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