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    • Santa welcomes children to hospital and one meal feeds thousands
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    Santa welcomes children to hospital and one meal feeds thousands

    Pabio Posted on

    On Christmas Day, across Milwaukee, the holiday spirit was felt as community members, first responders and organizations came together to support each other.

    This admirable gathering doesn’t even mention some of the more famous anonymous people who started the day greeting children at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa.

    Santa Claus, a trusty elf, Spiderman, Captain Marvel and other superheroes were hoisted by local fire trucks Wednesday morning to offer best wishes to patients and workers awaiting their arrival.

    More: With snow on the ground, it looks like Milwaukee will experience a ‘white Christmas’ in 2024

    “Merry Christmas,” Santa yelled upon his arrival, as an elf ecstatically greeted the famous man. “You make Santa very happy!”

    Fire departments from Milwaukee, West Allis, Wauwatosa and St. Francis came together to mark the holiday for the seventh year, said Milwaukee firefighter Trevor Pinkalla.

    The event began after Pinkalla’s own son was hospitalized for six months with cancer and inspired departments to try to bring holiday cheer to children who can’t be home for the holidays, a he declared. The inclusion of superheroes is meant to respect children who cannot celebrate the holiday.

    “Being a Milwaukee firefighter and seeing these kids come here constantly, we wanted to bring them a little joy,” he said. “We wanted to make sure they know that Santa is always with them, even if they are going through very difficult times.”

    More: First Baptist of Waukesha embraces Christmas themes of rebirth and goodwill year-round.

    Meanwhile, across town, the Salvation Army and its many volunteers offered what the organization calls Wisconsin’s Largest Holiday Meal at the Baird Center.

    About 4,000 meals are prepared for the family Christmas celebration, now in its 35th year, said Maj. Beverly Gates, Salvation Army area commander in Milwaukee County.

    The meal created a lively scene.

    Disc jockey Homer Blow played a range of songs, from Christmas classics to soul music, and hosted the event. He volunteered at the party for 18 years and welcomed attendees not as guests, but “like family.”

    More: You could call it Waukesha’s Christmas TV episode of “Happy Days,” with good reason

    Santa made an appearance, some danced to the tunes and the children enjoyed ice cream for dessert.

    Lines of attendees flocked to the meal – turkey, green beans, white bread and stuffing among the offerings. Others waited patiently for haircuts from barbers like Kenny Jones, who goes by the name Haircut Jones, and his student, Dynell Wimberly.

    Others waited patiently in line to get free bus tickets, toys and treats wrapped by the hostess.

    “I love the spirit of Christmas,” Blow said. “Christmas is about giving love.”

    Around 425 people volunteered to ensure the smooth running of the event. Among them were Vera Pleas and members of the Schutz family. They say helping with the event has become part of their Christmas traditions.

    Tracey and Larry Schutz, along with their son August, are not new to volunteering. Their service started nine years ago by refilling drinks. Now they serve food.

    “It makes us feel really good,” Tracey Schutz said.

    Pleas is originally from Chicago, but she has traveled to Milwaukee for the past six years to volunteer for the event with her sister.

    On Wednesday, she handed out bus tickets to those in attendance.

    More: How much will the average Wisconsin parent spend this Christmas?

    The meal was a way for some, like Nia Ramirez and her son Ahanu, to spend the day in the company of others. They moved to Milwaukee from Texas two years ago. They didn’t want to be alone on vacation.

    Others, like Angel Dotey Murdock Sr., his wife Alley and his brother Andrew, tried the meal for the first time.

    Angel said he was from Los Angeles and had never experienced anything like this meal.

    “It’s nice and lively,” he says. “I’m happy to be here.”

    For Eric Campbell, the meal is a poignant and important tradition. He has been attending the annual celebration for a decade. Campbell planned to spend Christmas with his grandchildren later today and possibly take them to the movies.

    “It captures my attention and gives me the motivation to keep going,” Campbell said of the community meal. “Being a believer helps a lot.”

    David Clarey can be contacted at [email protected]

    Pabio
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