4 days Ago By PEGGY SENZARINO
Here's wishing all North Iowans a very merry Christmas. We all have it in our power to do a little something to make this holiday brighter for those in need. I was lucky enough during my 17 years as a reporter at the Mason City Globe Gazette to be designated many times as the reporter following the progress of the Christmas Cheer Fund.
It was important work helping to put a face to the need each Christmas and hoping to spur our friends and neighbors to give to the cause. In December 2001, I wrote about "tough economic times making it difficult for many North Iowa families to find the extra money for Christmas." Sounds familiar, doesn't it? That story highlighted stories of families from Mason City, Marble Rock, and Forest City experiencing job losses leaving them with barely enough to get by each month.
Those families had no way to provide Christmas for their children. I remember the year when a family desperately needed a new stove. We were able to contact a local merchant who donated the appliance to make Christmas special for that family.
Being able to answer their Christmas request left us all with a warm feeling. Recounting these stories each year made me more appreciative and grateful for my life and my family and more determined to help those who were not as fortunate. We all get caught up in the daily back and forth of life and many times forget what is important.
I learned a lot about myself and the innate generosity of North Iowans through my Christmas Cheer Fund assignments. As we prepare for the holidays this year, so many North Iowans are struggling again with high grocery bills and paychecks that do not stretch as far as necessary. Please give what you can to the Christmas Cheer Fund to help more North Iowans have a happy holiday season.
I guarantee your holiday will be more meaningful because of your donation. You can put a big smile on the face of a young child or a sigh of relief for an elderly resident needing a hand up. We all need each other to get through this life and that fact is never more evident than at Christmas.
Pay your blessings forward with a donation to the Christmas Cheer Fund. Mail your check to Christmas Cheer Fund, Box 28, Mason City, IA 50402 or donate online at to donate by credit card or PayPal. And here's some good news: In it's first year under a new administration, Christmas Cheer Fund has nearly reached its goal.
There's still time to donate and push us over the top. Once again, from my family to yours, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Senzarino Peggy Senzarino covered Clear Lake, police and fire, and Hancock County during her years as a Globe Gazette reporter.
She is now the news editor of the Sioux City Journal. Get local news delivered to your inbox!.
