July 14, 2025

The Miracle of Christmas

From one of the Elves of St. Nick’s Christmas Club

Debb Smith (above left) of the Iowa Speedway Foundation presents a $1416.16 check to Rita Baker, representing St. Nick’s Christmas Club, and Dan Skokan, president of the Jasper Community Foundation, for the Christmas Club. As of this summer, the Jasper Community Foundation is serving as the fiscal agent for the St. Nick’s Christmas Club. The club needs to raise approximately $15,000 this year to assist local families and children at Christmas. (Submitted Photo)

The Jasper Community Foundation now is serving as the fiscal agent for the St. Nick’s Christmas Club, which has been in existence since 1988 to help underprivileged children of Jasper County have a brighter and happier Christmas.

Donors will receive tax deductions across the board, and the foundation will facilitate St. Nick’s being able to apply for more donations and grants. While the club began by finding about 30 people to adopt a family, the club has grown substantially in the past 20 years, last year serving more than 225 families with 650 children.

As the number of families the club assists has increased, so has the need. This year, the club estimates $15,000 in donations are needed.

When a person adopts a child, they purchase a shirt, pants, socks, underwear and a toy. From monetary donations, the club also purchases a food box for each family. If there are enough funds, club members also buy coats and snow pants, if it’s on the child’s wish list. The club also adopts the children who were not adopted by the community and provides items for them.