Community Corner

Santa in a Shoebox is Big Meaning in Small Packages

Racine resident Diana Higgenbottom started a local Santa in a Shoebox program after hearing about it in another community on a Christian radio station.

Diana Higgenbottom is brought almost to the point of speechlessness when she talks about the outpouring of support her Santa in a Shoebox program is receiving this year.

"The response is unbelievable," she said. "So many businesses, people and groups have just come forward and opened their hearts to help make others' Christmases a little brighter."

Santa in a Shoebox is a shoebox filled with toiletries, small gifts, and special holiday treats geared toward men, women, boys, girls, and teens. Higgenbottom said it's up to the person or group filling the shoeboxes to decide what goes in each one and to whom it is targeted.

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"Only the gift tag on the outside tells us if a teen girl or a little boy gets to open the box," she said.

Higgenbottom said she got the idea for starting a Racine-area Santa in a Shoebox in 2009 after hearing about it in another community while listening to a Christian radio station. She said our community has need and one only has to open their eyes and ears to witness that need. She doesn't want any credit because having the idea is one thing, but it takes the support of everyone who contributes to make it happen.

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Some of the groups and businesses that participated include members of the Racine Educators Association who put together almost 100 boxes; Racine Unified collected 100 more boxes; Shorewest Realtors kicked in 20 boxes; and students at Waterford High School and Case High School delivered more than one load of boxes as well.

Piggly Wiggly on Washington Avenue is a big supporter this year. Not only were employees contributing assembled boxes on their own, but workers would use both their own money and donations to shop for and fill boxes. The store also served as a drop-off for people who put together their own boxes.

"We're glad to help," said store owner Ralph Malicki. "It is pretty cool to see everybody bringing them to the store or working here to assemble boxes."

But on the Santa in a Shoebox Facebook page, Higgenbottom announced Wednesday that Malicki did a lot more than just pony up space to store wrapped boxes. For a couple of weeks now, the store has run a round-up program where customers can round up their grocery bill and the difference benefits the program.

Today, she discovered that amount comes to $600, but Malicki and Jeff Gesler, store manager, put in another $400 to bring the cash total to $1,000.

Piggly Wiggly Washington Ave wrapped up their "round up" your grocery total today with over $600 for Santa in a Shoebox buuuuuut get this, they (Piggly Wiggly) donated the rest to give $1000!!!!! Elves are shopping to fill the need for teen boys and the Vets ...can you believe the spirit???????????????????!!!!!! 

Higgenbottom said she has seen some of what goes into the boxes and just gets more impressed with the generosity of the people here.

"There is a lot of thought that goes into these boxes," she said. "Pretty hair things and sweet smelling lotions for girls and shaving items and cologne for teen boys and men; I mean, you can really tell that people are giving straight from their hearts."

Individuals who receive boxes are chosen after Higgenbottom is notified of their need, usually by a friend or family member. She says she does a double-check to be sure the need is real and has not come across anyone trying to take advantage.

This year, she's extending the progam to the VA program on the west end of the county, and thinks the number of individuals who will get surprised is doubling this year to 400 or even more.

"With all the 'elves' we have helping this year, we will be able to put smiles on the faces of a lot of people," Higgenbottom added. "Do you know how amazing our community is? I know it sounds corny, but I am moved to tears sometimes."

There is a final wrapping and assembling "party" Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Piggly Wiggly so deliveries can go out on Friday, and everyone is welcome.


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