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Show ooBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB 08SS000OB Sub-for-Santa memories Dear Editor: Have you ever wondered whether that carefully chosen gift you gave to sub-for-Santa was used or even appreciated? ap-preciated? I can tell you in big capital letters that they are. As a little girl one Christmas, two teenage couples brought two little dolls wrapped in a shoe box bed with the most beautiful clothes so carefully made. They were filled with the most beautiful colors and they brought with them so much love. I will never forget those gorgeous little dolls or the young people who gave them to us. One Christmas my father had been severely burned and unable to work. On Christmas Eve I happend to go into the livingroom in time to see the Santa Claus from the Lions Club put his arms around my Dad. My Dad had tears streaming down his cheeks, and I heard him say, "I'm not much of a father," and Santa said "It's because you are such a great father that we can do this for you." The table was piled high with goodies and I don't remember the . things we got, but I'll never forget the love fhat went from Santa Claus to my father. The year my father broke his leg, the Elks Club brought Christmas and I'll never forget that one. One gift was a nice set of oil paint by number picture sets. After all the big kids got through with the pictures, my little brother took the left-over paints and began to paint his own pictures. This led to his and another brother's interest and then career in art. He was nominated for a Sterling Scholar award and received a scholarship to a major Utah university all because one wonderful Elks shopper put that paint set in a sub-for-Santa gift box. v As I read the letter inviting people to again contribute food and goodies to families who need help, I would not let any year go by without thanking the very wonderful secret Santa who has touched my life and the lives of so many others. I don't believe you can ever receive a gift like this without wanting to pass it on. To do something similar for someone else, I don't know how to express the feeling you have when you receive a gift of love when you really need it. The gift may get used up, but always the love remains warming your heart whenever you think of it. Thank you. NAME WITHHELD |