It's Christmas Eve.
If you live in Brownhelm Township, that means you just might be expecting a visit from Santa Claus – in person – tonight. It's all part of the Brownhelm Community Christmas, a charming tradition which has been going on since 1932, the first year of the program in which a real live Santa visits homes in the community to make sure that no child is forgotten.
I wrote about that first year here.
The Brownhelm Community Christmas has been a favorite topic on this blog, with about a half-dozen posts devoted to Journal articles pertaining to it. I've covered the years 1932, 1947, 1962 (which is included with the 1932 link), 1963, 1967, and 1970.
This year I decided to find the Lorain Journal article associated with 1934, and then jump ahead in ten-year increments. Some of them provide nice histories of the program. As usual, I'm sure some of the other articles on the pages are also of interest.
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| Dec. 26, 1934 |
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| Dec. 5, 1944 |
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| Nov. 20, 1954 |
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| Dec. 18, 1964 |
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| Dec. 22, 1974 |
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So are they having it again this year? Of course. It wouldn't be Christmas in Brownhelm Township without it.
But there are certain rules, as it would be impossible for a Santa to visit every home in what is now Brownhelm Township. According to the Vermilion.org website, "Brownhelm Community Christmas takes place December 24th, annually. Santas visit homes in Old Brownhelm delivering gifts, candy and fruit.
"Old Brownhelm is the area originally served by the Brownhelm School before it was consolidated with Firelands Schools. Children under 10 receive a gift; those up to age 14 receive candy and fruit. Senior citizens are gifted with a half-peck basket of fruit. Cards are sent out to everyone serving in the military. Anyone who might go without Christmas dinner discreetly receives food packages.
"Letters are sent to Brownhelm Township families in November explaining the Community Christmas tradition with instructions on how to receive a Santa visit. The area is divided into routes; each route with a chairman to compile a list of each recipient’s name and age.
"The Brownhelm Community Christmas Santa visits have become an integral part of the season for Brownhelm residents. Organizers rely solely on donations; they do not solicit businesses, but local businesses donate fruit and solicit donations. Volunteers drive Santa from house to house, wrap gifts, assemble fruit baskets, pack candy into bags, and help the Santas get dressed on Christmas Eve.
"For more information, visit www.brownhelm.org."
Believe me, a few years ago when I was planning to move out of the Lorain Overlook to a permanent home, I looked in Brownhelm Township. Who wouldn't want to live there, and look forward to a visit each year from Good St. Nick?
3 comments:
Nice to know there is still a great deal of goodness on this lousy Earth.
I worked 20 years with a Brownhelmian and every, single year all they talked about through the Christmas season was this tradition. Pretty cool, for sure.
Hey, everyone; a late Solstice Greeting, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, a wonderful Kwanza, a great Boxing Day, and anything else that I happened to miss in my ignorance.
Don't forget Festivus, a festival for the rest of us.
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