Santa's elves are everywhere

Santa has elves everywhere. Of course we all know of the delightful little creatures at the North Pole, but Santa's helpers can be found even here in Kimball. These men, women and children don't look like the elves in storybooks, but helpers they are none-the-less.

Santa's helpers can be found in the merchants ready to help shoppers find that perfect gift or they can be found in those who cook, clean and care for others.

They can be found in the Kimball Public Schools compiling lists, not of who has been naughty or nice, but of those families who may need some extra help to make the season bright.

The Santa's Elves program allows the schools to partner with the local Rotary Club for the annual Giving Tree at Main Street Market. Tags are hung on the tree and can be claimed by any person hoping to fulfill the unmet needs of youngsters in the community.

The helpers at Mary Lynch Elementary also assist the elves in charge of the Shop with a Cop program and as an added bonus, this year the coordinator of the local back-pack program was able to donate a 25-pound box of non-perishable food to the families of each participant.

Even the grade school students get in on the giving, as each year they join the residents and staff at the Kimball County Manor to spread Christmas cheer, visit and sing carols.

Four years ago the Rotary Club began serving the community by assembling food boxes complete with everything needed to make a traditional Christmas dinner, though the program began more than 25 years ago with the Lion's Club in Kimball.

When passing the Santa hat to the Rotary, Lion's Club members provided a list of many donors in the area, including businesses, churches, organizations and citizens – so nearly everyone gets to be a helper.

In addition to the elementary school, the Rotary Club also partners with volunteers from the food pantry and the high school Interact Club.

“They all sure enjoy being there the morning we put the boxes together and there has never been complaining,” said Josh Enevoldsen, chairman of the program. “Its an early morning but they know they are doing a good thing.”

This year the group will assemble 75 boxes in the back room of Main Street Market and any excess donations will be given to the food pantry to continue helping others throughout the year.

Santa's helpers at the Lion's Club collected donations from local businesses and citizens to provide some additional Christmas cheer at the Kimball County Manor this year. Nearly 50 residents living at the local home will receive Christmas packages and movies for their entertainment.

Yes indeed, Santa's helpers are everywhere but it seems that Kimball has been blessed with many.