Joe Gentry

While growing up this was one of my favorite times of the year – Catalog Season. Sears and Roebuck, Montgomery Wards and Spiegel catalogs arrived. Each a couple of inches thick with all the stuff a young lad could need or desire.

Over the next month, I’d search those catalogs and make a list of items I desired for Christmas.

My list was always larger than what I would ever receive, but one could hope and dream. Today the only catalogs I look forward to receiving are Garret Wade’s and Sharper Image, which are more like magazines and not catalogs.

I relish discovering the high-end quality tools in Garret Wade and amazed (and somewhat astonished) at all the technologically advanced gifts available from Sharper Image. If I were to make a Christmas List today it would include the prospector spun iron cooking pan and a picaroon and 3 ft. 1-Man crosscut saw from Garret Wade and a cordless deep tissue massage gun from Sharper Image.

Perusing the Sharper Image Catalog, I’m fascinated by some of the items available. For instance, a water powered ear wax removal cleaner or an electric head massager, with 14 massage heads providing 360-degree full head coverage designed to target acupuncture points.

Back in the day, my mom was in a bowling league that bowled every Friday night. On those nights, my dad would sit in “his” chair and watch the Friday nights fights on black and white TV. If the time was right, I’d get to lay across his lap and he would clean my ears with a hairpin and Kleenex. When he was done, I’d get a back rub and have my head scratched. That sounds much more rewarding than a water powered ear wax remover or electric head massager. My experience was way more personal, comforting and left me with fond memories and an indelible bond with my dad.

Comparing my current lists to the Christmas Wish Lists we have received from NEMCSA’s school success liaisons I’m somewhat ill-at-ease and embarrassed. The lists we’ve received include snow pants, boots, warm clothing, blankets, warm bedding, dresses, and hair accessories. Modest asks for basic needed items.

The Christmas Wish List program, sponsored by the United Way of Northeast Michigan, is in its 46th year and expects to serve 400 children in our communities. Wish List recipients are identified by NEMCSA school success liaison’s who identify those families and youth in need and work with those families to identify and confirm the items needed. United Way matches specific recipient requests with donors who agree to fulfill the requested items. United Way collaborates with many other charitable organizations and churches to avoid duplication of services.

Monetary donations are also vital to the program’s success. These gifts pay for gifts for unmatched requests at the program’s conclusion to assure that all nominated families and youth have their needs met.

Checks can be made out United Way of Northeast Michigan noting Christmas Wish List on the memo line. Donations can be mailed to United Way of Northeast Michigan, 108 Water Street, Alpena, MI 49707. Donations can be made online at www.unitedwaynemi.org designating Christmas Wish List.

For more information call 989-354-2221 or email uwnemi@unitedwaynemi.org.

If you wish to be a matching donor and would like a name or a family to support, please contact Cathy Abraham at 586-703-4019 who is coordinating the matching process. Donors will be matched through November 30th. Gift receiving week will be December 1 – 5th at the AMA/ESD office, 2118 US 23 South (across from Taco Bell). Gift distribution occurs the week of December 15th.

The first year involved in this program I was overcome emotionally. First, by the simple needed items that may be all that a child would receive at Christmas. Second by the immense outpouring of generosity of our community and donors, and, last, receiving and accepting the gratitude from those families.