FLASHBACK 1987: The Christmas spirit appears to John Dorsey ... on TV!
Christmas Spirit as a Way of Life
By John Dorsey
In commemoration of City Weekly's 40th anniversary, we are digging into our archives to celebrate. Each week, we FLASHBACK to a story or column from our past in honor of four decades of local alt-journalism. Whether the names and issues are familiar or new, we are grateful to have this unique newspaper to contain them all.
Title: Christmas Spirit as a Way of Life
Author: John Dorsey
Date: Dec. 1987
It seemed like a horrible nightmare. There I was, surrounded on all sides by a mob of pushing, grabbing maniacs. Above my head hung multi-colored plastic angels, whose trumpets heralded "Incredible Values" and "Tremendous Savings." All this while the Muzak spewed forth what seemed to be an endless rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." I was in Christmas shopper's HELL!
That's how it all began, my search for the true holiday spirit. Lately, I've had the feeling that Christmas is more a celebration of materialism than what it was meant to be, a celebration of the birth of Christ. So I was determined to find some sign that the true Christmas spirit of giving of one's self was alive and well, before chronic cynicism set in.
I didn't have to look very far. In fact, an example of true Christmas spirit was staring me right in the face, from my television set, and it had been there every Wednesday for the past five years. That is how long Randall Carlisle of KUTV News has been working to give special needs children fresh starts and loving families through his "Wednesday's Child" program.
"I first got involved with the program when my boss called me in his office and told me to do it," Carlisle says, and admits "I was initially pessimistic of the interest level."
But what started as merely an assignment has since become one of the most successful special needs placement programs in the country, with Carlisle, in association with the Rocky Mountain Adoption Exchange, placing over 250 children in permanent and stable homes.
"When I started working with the 'Wednesday's Child' program," explains Carlisle, "I didn't realize the extent of the problem." That's why education and awareness has been an integral part of the program.
Carlisle attributes the success of "Wednesday's Child" to the fact that it "relates down to one individual," not a nameless number or statistic.
"When you meet the kids," explains Carlisle, "you realize how lucky you are."
So maybe the true Christmas spirit isn't dead after all. As I continued my search, I began to realize that this town is full of giving people who embody the spirit of the season all year around.
There's the women of the Assistance League of Salt Lake, a group that has been help to Salt Lake's needy for over 15 years. Their programs, like Operation School Bell, provide new clothing to needy children in the Salt Lake and Granite School Districts, plus free blood pressure checks. They service over 5,000 people a year.
There's Phil Jones and Jim Beaver of Valley Storefront, an organization providing a safe environment and counseling for the mentally ill homeless and helping them find professional help; a way station for those who do not know how to seek proper help or support.
There's Utahns Against Hunger, whose food drives supply much needed food for those in need. There's the Salvation Army and St. Vincent DePaul, each providing support and assistance to Salt Lake's growing homeless population. And the list goes on. I had found the true spirit of Christmas.
So I again set out for the jungle we call "the mall," and nothing had changed. The crowds were still pushing, the angels were still selling, and the music was still droning. But somehow these things didn't bother me quite as much as they did before because I knew that no matter how commercial the season became, if you just look around, you can find the true spirit of Christmas.
Five More Who Give & Give
Alta High student Jodi Mumford is on her third go-round as a volunteer.
Phil Jones counsels the mentally ill homeless at the Valley Storefront. Donations of household goods are welcome.
Many homeless first meet Joe Williams. He is the House Manager at the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake.
His father is in charge of the Salvation Army's Salt Lake operation and Kevin Lane has worked there for five years.
Cindy Cook, nurse, first came to St. Vincent's to help her son earn an Eagle rank in Boy Scouts.
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