The Gastonia Gazette from Gastonia, North Carolina • Page 36

Who is the real Santa Claus? John Hoy Junes has neiflicr a snowy while beard nor a round little belly shakes like huwl full of jolty. But he does have a merry (winkle in his eye. Il's a special twinkle thai has grown brighter and warmer as Gaston folk showed Iheir good will in contributing to Ihe F.mply Stocking Fund. The Salvation Army's Brigadier Jones doesn't think of himself as Santa Clans, but there arc hundreds of families in the c'ounly who do. And, indeed, the limply Slocking program coordinated by the SA commanding officer brings cheer at least one day to homes that often have little reason to rejoice.

In recent weeks Brigadier Jones' days have begun early and his nights have stretched long. "His rather taxing, but it is pleasant," he said For him, Christmas began in Ot'lobcr. "First, we had to estimate the number of families who whonld register with us for assistance," said Brigadier Jones early last week. "Last year we provided Christmas dinner and toys for 600 families. This year's lolal is Hearing that mark.

We began Monday to cul off registration, but there are always last-minute requests for help." Many of these requests came from schools, Social Services, and interested files arc kept on families and thei needs. It was something like, planning a Chrislinas menu for thousands of people. Once the estimates were on-paper, Brigadier Jones ordered food and toys from wholesale dealers. When newspaper publicity began on Thanksgiving Day, Ihe stocking was limp and lifeless. Slowly the toe filled as contributions trickled in.

As hearts expanded wilh the Christmas spirit, the money came into The Gazelle at a steady pace. Today, Christmas Kvc, the slocking is overflowing. Brigadier Jones, smiling as he came and went, picked up the contributions several times a week. Speaking at civic club meetings and directing the Christmas program prevented his seeing the proud hllle faces of children who Over the centuries there has been some debate about the identity and existence of Santa Claus. Who is he? What is he? Brigadier John Roy Jones of the Salvation Army declares he is not Santa Claus, although his work with the Empty Stocking Fund brings cheer to hundreds of families at Christmas.

Perhaps he is Jack Faile (center), who takes a week of his vacation each year at Christmas to help display toys and bag food orders for needy families. Certainly, the spirit of Santa Claus dwells in teenagers (l-r) Cathy Jones, Mary Carol Goebel, and Daniel Crumbley who assisted Santa and Brigadier Jones in distributing gifts at a party for 200 children. And what about each of the people who made contributions to the Empty Stocking and dropped coins in the Salvation Army kettles? Surely, there is a bit of "saint" in all who honor Christ at Christmas by helping His less fortunate children. Story by Elsie Hamilton Photography by Kermit Hull came with jars filled with dimes, nickles and pennies, (he well-dressed men and women who asked quietly where to make Iheir contributions, Ihe young couples walking hand-in-hand who wanted to share Christmas with someone else. "1 believe the newspaper publicity each year stimulates the other phases of our limply Slocking Hrigadier Jones.

prompts people to respond to our Salvation Army kotllcs and lo our letters requesting contributions. "We feel most of our kettle contributions come from people who can't, afford lo give large amounts," the brigadier said. "It docs your heart good lo sec Hie spirit.of those answering the call of the hells and dropping money into the kellles. appeared that many of the contributors could have used assistance Hicmsplvps." SA kettles were manned by members of 12 civic clubs and 1G junior civic Like a housewife on a budget, Brigadier Jones used the Kmply Stocking funds carefully to make them go as far as possible. An average family's Christmas dinner cost The bags picked up Thursday and Friday contained milk, sugar, salt, seasoning, shortening, cornmeal, flour, canned goods and meat, mostly canned hams or chickqns.

"Ourcof- fee alone this year cost around Brigadier Jones. Kagh year about $2,000 of the funds go to buy set lip iijloy shop in the National Guard Armory, and families made selections as they came to pick up their food Thursday and Friday," Ihe brigadier said. For families without transportation, the Salvation Army delivered food andtovsto Iheir homes. Monday night Salvation Army workers and other volunteers began the tremendous (ask of bagging food. "We graduated the food orders, filling bags for couples, average families, and large families," Hrigadier Jones said.

"Our helpers worked like troopers for about three days sacking up the food stored at the armory, some of them coming in and staying all day," said the brigadier. "An old faithful is Jack Failc who takes a week of his vacation each year at Christmas lo help." Kmpty Slocking funds also financed other Christmas activities for the underprivileged. Tuesday night Santa Claus distributed gifts, fruit, and candy to 200 youngsters at Ihe Salvation Army Citadel. A parly for 200 boys was held at the Lowell Boys Club. Another party at Ihe Marietta Street Club provided fun and (reals for several hundred boys.

Salvation Army ladies wrapped gifts and packaged Ireats for the residents of the County Home. Outside help came from churches, civic clubs, and schools. "We provided the Rotary Club with the names of 100 boys and Brigadier Jones said. "The Rotarians went to their homes, checked on sizes, and personally took the children shopping. They spent about $2,000 on the children." Ashbrook High School students, again sponsoring Kans for Kids, collected cans of food.

"Young people call often, asking 'What can we do' said the SA commanding don't Ihink we have (oo much lo worry about as long as young people's hearts are in the right place and (heir thinking is straight." Brigadier John Roy Jones smiled and said: "There's something about the spirit of Christmas that brings out the good side of people. It makes the cold month of December warm and nice. I do hope the time will never come when we forget that the real purpose of Christmas is to honor Christ. He left us wilh the teachings that it is more blessed to give then lo receive and that when we do for others we do for Him." "The Empty Slocking, although sponsored by the. Salvation Army, is a unique cooperative community effort," Brigadier Jones continued.

"This sharing of ourselves and our possessions brings us together on common people who receive help know they aren't people do care." think Christ would approve," said Brigadier John Kov Jones..