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Show 'Christmas family' overwhelmed T jr v - - , J rrrr . r. i.i F ) V' , If 7 ' 'MXt, l i j h S - ; " "" r , - - 1 if . i. -,''.'.. "We've never had a Christmas like this," said an emotional mother of eight after employees of this newspaper delivered two carloads of gifts for the Newtah "Christmas Family." Well over 100 gifts were donated by thoughtful and generous readers of the newspaper who wanted to make this Christmas a memorable one. "We plan on making this an annual an-nual tradition," said publisher Brett Bezzant after delivering the gifts which virtually covered the family's livingroom floor. "The response by our readers was overwhelming." The gifts poured in for three weeks prior to the Christmas holiday, as local residents tried to do something for someone who was in need.In-cluded need.In-cluded in the gifts were a fully-decorated fully-decorated Christmas tree, Christmas Christ-mas dinner with a locally-produced Christmas ham, several toys and clothing for each of the eight children and the parents as well. "I want you to know that some day we'll be on the other end of this," said the mother, who was unprepared un-prepared by the abundance of the Christmas offering. It was the type of scene that was repeated for other families experiencing ex-periencing financial difficulties a local residents got involved in Sub-for Sub-for Santa programs worked to may aC"o'mSelIrU.ttl United Way helped over 800 families in the ntah County area, and the Provo E kl Lodge spent $17,000 to help 15 families in the county. A large part oUhat money went buy clothing and food for the needy. .?'I.R!S,AS""JoAnn Nicholes, Newtah office manager, looks over the gifts donated by local residents for tnnstmas Family." Other local businesses, the local Kiwanis club and others helped families in the area, many of which were identified in the newspapers search for a "Christmas family." Bezzant said the response for the Christmas family was so good, th? newspaper is considering selecting two families next year, both to give our readers a chance to help those who need and deserve it, and to prevent the selected families from identifying themselves. |