Christmas is a time of joy and excitement for children, and the visit to Santa’s Grotto is always characterised by fun; for one child, however, it was a great and basic need that drove him as he sat on Santa’s lap two years ago.
Oregon Police Chief Robert Kappelman has started up a viral campaign, the Toothbrush Christmas Campaign, after a particularly heartwrenching experience as ‘Santa’.
In a moving post to his department’s Facebook page, Robert explained how the title of police chief came with a great responsibility – dressing up as Santa for the local children.
Robert went on to outline how the routine usually went: children filed up, he asked them if they had been good that year, and then he took note of what they wanted from Santa. End of.
There was one child, however, who stopped Robert in his tracks two years ago.
GET YOUR TISSUES READY...Two years ago as a new police chief, I sat down in a comfy chair on a stage...dressed in a...
Posted by North Bend Oregon Police Department on Friday, October 23, 2015
“That one boy interrupted the rhythm. ‘Were you a good boy this year?’ I asked. ‘I tried,’ he replied. ‘What would you like for Christmas?’ was the next question as I eyed that line, already moving my brain on to the next child,” wrote Robert. What came next knocked him for six.
“’A new toothbrush and maybe some toothpaste,’ he answered shyly. WHAT?! My attention was immediately drawn back to the little boy, a little dishevelled and dirty, sitting on my knee. I was shocked…To that little boy, I WAS Santa. He was sure Santa would bring him this most basic of needs. But before I could choke down the lump in my throat, the process moved on…and he slipped away,” he added.
While Robert was unable to get the child’s name, he decided to take action so that none of the local children would ever have to turn to Santa to have their basic needs fulfilled. He launched the Toothbrush Christmas Campaign, under which hundreds of less fortunate children received little gifts during the festive season.
As you can imagine, the story of the Toothbrush Christmas Campaign has been doing the rounds online, with thousands moved to donate.
It’s so important to remember those less fortunate, especially at this time of the year. This is a truly wonderful idea.
