CHRISTMAS SPIRIT — At a recent Follansbee Council meeting, members of the Follansbee Christmas in the Park Committee distributed $17,000 raised by the holiday-themed festival to the Follansbee R.E.A.C.H. Program, a local food pantry, and the families of four youths with special medical needs. On hand for the presentation were, from left, front; committee member Betty Ann Shaffer, William Scott and his son, Skyler; Brenda Swiger holding her daughter, Ellie; Dylan Miller, Josephyne Schaefer holding her son, Laiden; Chaz Schaefer, Laiden’s father; and back: Tom Ludewig and Ed Wilkerson, members of the food pantry’s board of directors; Karen Hager, a volunteer at the food pantry; committee members Bill Secrist and Stacie Williams; Lila Miller, Dylan’s guardian; and Pat Diesecker, officer manager for the food pantry. -- Contributed

FOLLANSBEE — With the help of many, members of the Follansbee Christmas in the Park Committee got to play Santa’s helpers to many local residents in need, including four youths with special medical issues.

Headed by Bill Secrist, the Follansbee Christmas in the Park Committee distributed $17,000 among the Follansbee R.E.A.C.H. Program, a local food pantry; and the families of the four youths: Ellie Swiger, Lila Miller, Laiden Schaefer and Dylan Miller.

Ellie, who is 7, has a rare genetic disorder that causes seizures and developmental delays.

Brenda Swiger said her daughter regularly undergoes treatment at West Virginia University Medicine Children’s Hospital and the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center in Wheeling.

Swiger said despite her condition, Ellie is quite friendly and energetic and while only able to attend school three days a week, enjoys it.

Dylan, who is 15, is on the autism spectrum while also dealing with Type 1 diabetes, seizures and a disorder that affects his blood’s ability to clot, said his grandmother and guardian, Lila Miller.

Miller said Dylan is only able to attend school a few hours each day but is very friendly and enjoys playing with remote control vehicles and coloring.

Laiden, who is 4, has been diagnosed with myocarditis and was on life support for 20 days after going into cardiac arrest at age 2, said his father, Chaz Schaefer.

Schaefer said that affected his son’s brain, and Laiden undergoes physical, occupational and speech therapy on a weekly basis while also seeing a neurologist and cardiologist regularly.

Schaefer said his wife, Josephyne, had completed emergency medical technician training shortly before Laiden’s diagnosis and her background has been invaluable in their son’s care.

Schaefer added Laiden works with a special education teacher in Brooke High School’s pre-school program, which he calls “amazing.”

He said despite his health issues, Laiden enjoys riding his bicycle and swimming.

Secrist noted the Follansbee Christmas in the Park Committee has made one or two children and teens with special needs beneficiaries of the annual festival since it was begun 23 years ago.

He confirmed this year was unusual because the group saw an opportunity to help four local youth.

Secrist said he feels empathy for the parents and guardians who deal with the special challenges of their children and the expense involved in their care, and the group hopes it has made this Christmas a little merrier for them.

Proceeds from vendor’s fees and various drawings held during the two-day fall festival also have been donated to local charities, with the Follansbee R.E.A.C.H. Program being a recipient since it was begun in 2023.

Ed Wilkerson, president of the food pantry’s board of directors, said, “It’s a big help to us.”

Wilkerson said the volunteer-run food pantry will be providing Christmas dinners, with ham and other entrees, to 48 households.

He noted the meals are in addition to weekly food distributions made to local residents throughout the year.

Wilkerson said a rise in the cost of groceries and the period when federal food assistance was halted by a temporary shutdown of the federal government has brought many people to the food pantry in recent months.

He said food costs also have made it more challenging for the program to help those in need.

But Wilkerson said it has received a boost not only from Follansbee Christmas in the Park but also by special citywide collections by the U.S. Postal Service, contributions by staff at the local Mountain State Carbon Plant, even after it was officially closed, and donations from others.

Secrist noted when he and former Follansbee Councilwoman Kathy Santoro launched Follansbee Christmas in the Park, the intention was that it be an event “that gives back to the community.”

Through the years, the festival’s many craft and food vendors have included churches and other nonprofit groups that use it to raise funds for their efforts.

A few have provided free offerings, such as the Alpha Delta Kappa educators sorority, which regularly brings numerous free books for all ages.

Secrist said members the volunteer group behind the event are looking forward not only to organizing it next year but also to 2027, when they will celebrate its 25th anniversary.