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Hopefully, we will make some money today for a lovely woman in this county who has helped disadvantaged children for 21 years at Christmas. She is amazing and I can cheerfully say I am smitten with her.

She is from Germany, marrying a local soldier from Hoots during WWII and returned to this area with him. Her sister had the same birthday at Adolph Hitler and each year would be given presents from the Nazis. Lottie, that’s her name, told me that her family didn’t know about the atrocities going on until she met the Americans.

To sit down and talk to her is a walk through history.

She has worked in community action most of her life. The party she gives each year makes my Christmas. I’ve been to it for 11 years. Santa shows up, there are carols and I’ve even emceed the event several times. The kids are fed and they are given boxes filled with coats, shoes and toys. It’s been her baby and she works tirelessly all year to make it happen.

Because, you see, this is the only Christmas most of this kids will get.

This year she went from having more than 70 children to around 50.

So, one of the local pubs called The Stable is holding a benefit to help her offset costs. I’ve found it to be a joyful event as so many people have come out of the woodwork to help. Dirk Diggler is grilling chicken (yes, I went and picked it up at Tyson and I have to say that Dirk is in big trouble for that one as he knew ahead of time what I was getting into) and people have made dishes that sound wonderful.

Badger Beth made the flyer, her friend is making home-made cookies that would make your mouth explode from the goodness (She should be a professional cookie maker) and there is a ton of food.

These are the times that I love Hoots. When people come together and give when they honestly have nothing to give. But they give anyway because they want to help.

To say I love and adore these people is an understatement.