“Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values” – Thomas S. Monson.

On the night of Monday, December 19, 2016 the Niobrara County community came together to revel in the true spirit of Christmas. As the final result of their year-round work, Santa’s Helpers hosted their annual Christmas Dinner for residents of Niobrara County, where giving to others was the clear theme. Amid a flock of various Christmas decorations—including a stage with a sleigh for Santa—those in the community that chose to participate were served a roast beef dinner prepared and served by Jeannette Starck and her crew, followed by a gift line for the children. The committee, who is funded for the event by the concessions during the summer at the Northside Park along with their December Mustard Seed Dinner and further donations by the community, consists of Patti Sigvartsen, Carolyn Gill, Kayla Courtright, Mandy Pruitt, Linda Frye, Shatto Smith, Dawn Scott, and Jackie Bredthauer. 

The evening offers a chance for comradery among community members with one common goal in mind—the children. “Just seeing all the smiling faces on the children and adults make it worth all the hours it takes to put this together. Our community is always there for us and they make things so much easier for us. It’s about the children and that’s why I love doing this” comments Patti Sigvartsen. 

This year, the event was host to ninety children, sixty adults, and had twenty-five participating volunteers. “We handed out about ninety-six gifts. We had thirty-six toy bags and forty-two food boxes that we gave out this year” says Sigvartsen. While it is by no means a requirement for participants to go to the dinner, those that do are served the roast beef dinner and dessert followed by a present line that ends with seeing Santa in the sleigh. “My favorite part about this event is when the crowd starts calling for Santa, they are smiling and cheering so loud that it’s so much fun to watch! I love it when children are happy” states Sigvartsen. 

With Justin Collins as the nights emcee, each table was dismissed one by one to begin the present line. The line, which follows a four gift guideline consisting of: something one needs, something to read, something to wear, and something one might want, begins with a pillow and hand-made pillow case. Per Sigvartsen, Vivian Fahy and her 4-H group is responsible for the bright and fun pillow cases, “They sew at least one hundred each year, purchase pillows for all the children, and donate them to Santa’s Helpers”. Next up is something to read, a table that Norma Langston heads and Sigvartsen says, “She [Langston] is in charge of getting them donated. Usually at her book fair they have lots donated because of her”. Each child is able to pick a book that they would enjoy reading and there is a wide variety to choose from. The third stop is for a pair of mittens and a hat—perfect for any snowball fight. These come from purchases made throughout the year, donations by Niobrara County citizens, and the Women’s Center who makes some of them. Finally, it’s time for Santa and that ‘want’ present. While those attending fill out a paper to register, they do not write down ideas for what they want for Christmas, instead it has much more thought put into it with each present being personally assigned, “Shatto Smith is in charge of the gifts when it’s time to hand out. She knows all the children and can put a gift to each face.  She has a process that is working out great and all [the] children seem to be happy”.  

Wrapping paper flies everywhere once the children see Santa and have received their final present. Their screams of happily showing what they received, opening boxes, and playing is all that can be heard. When filling out the registration papers, the gift giving can continue passed the event night, “Anyone can sign up for a toy and/or food box even if they can’t come to the dinner. We make sure they have at least one gift in their bag for under their tree”. 

Weeks of planning, hours of setting up, hours of food prep, hours of wrapping presents and assigning presents, and countless donations from the community, and it all comes down to one night of comradery and children’s smiles. Santa’s Helpers is an event for others that perfectly implement’s the ‘reason for the season’. “I want to thank all the many people who have made this event happen. It takes a lot of people to make this happen. We could not do it without you! A special ‘thank you’ to my committee for all you do” finishes Sigvartsen.