March 19, 2024

St. Nick’s celebrates 26 years of service

What started with two sisters canvassing the town for Christmas donations has turned into a large team effort to provide a happy holiday to hundreds of local underprivileged children.

This week, St. Nick’s Christmas Club celebrated its 26th year of bringing joy to the community.

Organizers have been fundraising, networking and planning extensively for months and worked diligently to organize thousands of clothing and toy items. Each child adopted receives a new toy and outfit including socks and underwear, and each family receives a box of food including hamburger, hams, potatoes, cereal, vegetables and other staples to help them through the holidays.

On Thursday, 221 families met at the American Legion to thank and receive a large package from St. Nick’s.

Sara Bentley, of Newton, a mother of two 12-year-old boys and a young girl, wasn’t able to provide the Christmas she would have liked for her kids.

“They wouldn’t have a Christmas this year if it wasn’t for St. Nick’s, and a huge thank you from my family and all the families. It means so much,” Bentley said.

It wasn’t just parents that showed up at St. Nick’s distribution day, either.

Robert Crusen, of Prairie City, is on disability and is now taking care of his 3-year-old grandson. Saving enough money for new clothes and toys for a young boy to have a special Christmas hasn’t been easy, but St. Nick’s efforts provide relief.

“It makes me happy because I can actually get him something,” Crusen said. “It’s unreal.”

St. Nick’s was started by the late Pete Hussmann who passed away in January and this was the first year without Pete to lead the way. Although he wasn’t there physically, everyone agreed he was there in one way or another.

“He’d be proud. He’d be very happy,” said Julie Bak, Pete’s widow and St. Nick’s volunteer, who wore his memorable brown bomber hat.

He was the organizer and energizer of the group. St. Nick’s members describe him as caring, calm and a lover of Christmas.

“Pete always had faith in everybody, faith that it would work, come together and it always did,” said Pat Coady, St Nick’s volunteer. “This was his baby. He loved Christmas, and if he ever heard of anyone in need, he made sure they were well take care of.”

The organization stresses the importance of children and making sure they have a merry Christmas just as all kids should, organizers said. That there’s value in opening a gift on Christmas and being able to wear something new to school after returning from break.

Six hundred Jasper County kids, who otherwise wouldn’t be able to, will be able to celebrate the spirit of Christmas this year.

Contact Kate Malott at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or kmalott@newtondailynews.com