THATCHER — The plan of the Double R Communications-Mann Mortgage Operation Secret Santa was to help eight families this holiday season with items that make a difference in day-to-day life, such as paying utility bills and a new set of tires for the car.
But David and Ruth Van Scoyk, of Mann Mortgage, decided more families needed to be helped.
“This is one of the most special experiences of my life. I can’t believe how much it touched me,” David said. “As we were calling the people and talking with them, they had tears in their eyes, my wife and me had tears in our eyes. It was really emotional and very special. It made it one of the most special Christmases that we’ve ever done, and we are very, very happy to have had the opportunity to have these people not only bless our lives but to be able to bless their lives as well.”
In total, the Van Scoyks helped five families with gifts for the holiday.
One of the Secret Santa families received utility assistance from Country Financial but, again, the desire to help even more was present and Graham County Co-operative stepped up.
“We have quite a bit going on at the end of the year (and) I believe there were six families out of that list that were helped with utility bill assistance,” said Phil Cook, assistant general manager for Graham County Electric Co-op.
A number of other families also received help, including:
● A new Trane heating system from Advanced Air Systems
● A whole hog donated by No Doubt Genetics, processed by Carters Custom Cuts and a freezer to store the meat donated by Valley Furniture and Appliance
● A set of four tires from Haralson Tire Pros & Auto Service
● Family Christmas gifts from Trek RV & Outdoors
● A whole hog donated by Maverick Motorsports, processed by Carters Custom Cuts and a freezer to store the meat donated by Valley Furniture and Appliance
● A $500 gift card to Thriftee Food and Drug from Tyson Richins and Edward Jones Investments
“We’re definitely committed to the Operation Secret Santa,” David said. “We definitely want to do that again next year.”
