back to February 2004 Newsletter

Giving Back in Johnstown, PA

Dale Thompson is a man of many talents. From keeping fresh water fish to painting and building things in his workshop, he's always busy. Here's his story about "BEEZER," his Christmas 2003 project:

About a year ago I saw a picture of a wooden burro in a magazine. I was somewhat intrigued by it, so I bought the plans. Then last summer I finally got around to building one. When "BEEZER" the burro was completed I was pleased with the results and everyone who saw it made a fuss over it. For the past couple of years I've been wanting to make something for less fortunate kids at Christmas, but could not come up with a good idea.

Well, Beezer turned out to be it. At first I was going to make two of them but was later talked into four. Some family and friends wanted to have the rocking horses raffled off and the proceeds go to the poor.

My idea was that some child who didn't think that he/she was getting anything, and wake up Christmas morning and see Beezer under the tree. That definitely gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. My next problem was, how do you find such folks. Well one evening, Sue and I were in a neighborhood pub/restaurant when a preacher friend of ours walked in and sat down with us (hey it's a steel/coal mine town, everybody drinks).

As soon as I saw him I knew that problem was solved. My only condition was that I remain anonymous.

PS: I almost forgot, I am told that the kids loved them. Made my day.

	From start to finish, Dale Thompson's Christmas Burro's took about 6 weeks of evenings and weekends.