A Christmas To Remember

Ho, Ho, Ho and a Merry Christmas! I know it is just October but Santa's elves need to start early. I am looking for lots of elves this year to help coordinate, shop, wrap, donate money, or gifts to help make Christmas morning a magical, special memory that the children at One Way Farm Children's Shelter can cherish and you can be part of the dream. The children who live at One Way Farm Children's Shelter range in ages 11 through 20. A child who is mentally challenged we care for until the age of 21. We care for 10 boys and 10 girls.

For those of you that do not know me, my name is Kitty and I have volunteered to be Santa's Helper at One Way Farm Children's Shelter for the past 10 years. I volunteer my time starting in October until the first week of January because I have 3 daughters, 2 dogs, 1 husband and a company to manage. (No partridges in a pear tree). My job is to see that Christmas lists are filled; sizes are determined and make sure every child feels special and very loved on Christmas morning. This is my commitment.

When I sit down with each child to ask what he or she would like for Christmas, I have always allowed the children to dream. Dreams of the gifts - why shouldn't children dream of the best Christmas ever? They all know that the reality is we do not always get what we want, but the elves fulfill 99% of the dreams.

Over the many years that I have been Santa's Helper at One Way Farm Children's Shelter, hundreds of hours have been put in each year to make Christmas morning special for 20 children. Every year I have received more than I gave. I have taken with me the true meaning of Christmas and I have been able to teach my own children by example. I have watched the children at One Way Farm after an apartment fire in West Chester, days before Christmas, come to me and ask if they could donate one of their gifts to the children that lost their homes. Last year at Christmas, they wanted to help those that suffered from the attack on our country on September 11. These children know what it is like to be without a home and still wanted to share what little they had.

Each year when sitting down with the children to gather together a Christmas Wish List, I have been asked for so many things. Some of the things asked for will always remain in my memory forever. Many asked for gifts for their younger brothers or sisters that were not with them, at One Way Farm, while asking nothing for themselves. I have had children ask for a best friend, a miracle, a mom and dad, or just to go home. I have had children say they are not going to need to make out a Christmas list because they were not going to be here at Christmas and two years later they are still with us. Sometimes it's not what they ask for but what they don't ask for, a class ring, a dress for prom, senior pictures or a school yearbook. These are things you and I have taken for granted.

This year if you can find it in your heart to donate or help out at Christmas, please call me at One Way Farm at 513.829.3276. For those that have helped in years past, I look forward to hearing from you again!

Sincerely,
Kitty Van Camp Wells