Christmas wish lights up Reasnor

With Santa Claus busy this time of year, Reasnor resident LuAnne Steenhoek took it upon herself to grant a Christmas wish for a couple in her small Jasper County community. Steenhoek learned that Curt and Wanda Lamb, longtime Reasnor residents, were hoping to decorate the large 40-foot pine tree in their front yard. Wanda Lamb explained to Steenhoek how for years the couple had tried to string lights on the tree and even had some volunteers help one year but the strands of lights only reached about half way up the 30 year old tree. “They’ve wanted to do this for the last four or five years,” said Steenhoek. “Curt has macular degeneration and it was something that he had always wanted to see.” After Steenhoek heard the Lamb’s talk about their tree again this year and knowing Curt Lamb’s medical condition, the Reasnor woman sprang into action. Steenhoek decided to make 2008 a special one and began planning to decorate the tree. “I knew we could do it we just needed a lift and I knew they are expensive to rent,” she said. Steenhoek made a call to Gary Smith and Smith’s Quality Rental who donated the use of the lift on Saturday so the volunteers could safely decorate the tree. “I told him the story and I must have got to him,” Steenhoek said. “He said ‘I think I can help you with this.’” With the lift, 4,800 twinkle lights and volunteers — Steenhoek, her husband Don and son Joel, Rose Hansen and the Lambs — ready to go, they descended on the Lambs’ front yard and decorated the Christmas tree Saturday morning. “It means quite a bit to us,” said Wanda Lamb. “We’ve been wanting to do this for a few years now.” Wanda Lamb said the tree is beautiful and has made their family Christmas even more special this year. “It’s really wonderful. I really appreciate what she did. She’s a good gal,” Wanda Lamb said of Steenhoek’s Christmas surprise. Wanda Lamb said the tree has gained a lot of attention in Reasnor and the lights can be seen from more than a mile away. “It’s really a sight. A lot of people have commented on it. It’s a really big tree,” she said. Steenhoek said seeing the smiles on the Lambs’ faces was thanks enough for her and she was glad to spread a little Christmas cheer. “It just shows that if people could just do more for other people — even something small — this world could be a better place,” she said. Jessica Lowe can be contacted at 792-3121 ext. 426 or via e-mail at jlowe@newtondailynews.com.