Christmas is in the air, and it is time We Care Park once again lights up the whole north end so that our little ones can visit the park and take in some of the best sights ever seen.
At the helm is that old man who still thinks he is a teenager, and he wants to spread the cheer to all.
Mike Wyant and wife, Nancy, with the help of the family and many volunteers every year, give of their time to make that Christmas scene one to enjoy and love. But it just isn’t the Christmas season that work on this project is done.
When the holidays are over, the taking down of all those lights and trim is a job that takes them well into late winter. Storing things away takes time, too.
And a few months after Christmas is over and everything is taken down and put away, then it is time to start taking all that stored trim and lights and putting it back up again for Thanksgiving night when We Care starts opening back up.
The Wyants do this out of their hearts’ desire because, when they were young and things were hard to get, the family was always thankful for what they had. Mike was one of the mill workers who worked swing shifts. He was a supervisor whom everyone liked, and being able to make things easier for the youngsters of today plays long and hard in his heart.
He is one fine gentleman, as are his brothers and brothers-in-law. And his wife, who also came from a large family, is always there by his side, waiting to do whatever is needed to get this show on the road.
There is no profit in doing this, as all proceeds go right to We Care each year. And it seems like each year there’s a little more than last.
If you want to see some of Santa’s helpers, then visit We Care Park and see what good hearts can do.
Kokomo is full of good-hearted people who want the best for their children and other children, too. If you would sit down and talk with Mike, it is like talking to a brother or sister. He is a person who can make you proud to know him, and likewise with Nancy and all those Wyant families who give of themselves not only at Christmastime but also during the year when things look bleak.
They are good people who live in a good city, and they know how it was for kids back in their day. They use that knowledge to make sure that kids are not left out at Christmastime.
And there are many more people in this great city of Kokomo, Ind., who also give of themselves with donations and time to do what is needed to make Christmas a happy one for the children and those who do not have the means to have a dinner on the table at Christmastime.
Matter of fact, Kokomo is full of good people with hearts of gold, ready to help out in any way they can. Many remain in the shadows, ready to put forth an effort to do whatever is needed. Some we hear about, others we don’t.
But they are there, and this year will be no different because Kokomo cares. Soft-spoken heroes, waiting to give a child a gift and a warm, full belly.
Ray “Uncle Ray” Day is a weekly contributor to the Kokomo Tribune. Contact him at uncleray@earthlink.net.
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Day: Wyant family is the heart of Kokomo
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