Jerry Davich: Christmas cash recipient thanks benefactor

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Alisa Gonzales, a pregnant and single mother of four from Morgan Township in rural Porter County, reacts with her children Benito, 10 and Delilah, 2, after receiving a $500 cash gift from an anonymous donor on Christmas Eve morning. Her home was recently burglarized and her vehicle is in need of repair. | Jerry Davich~Sun-Times Media

Alisa Gonzales couldn’t contain her emotions, and why should she on Christmas Eve morning?

The single mother of four, who’s pregnant with her fifth child, gasped when she opened the envelope and saw five $100 bills.

“Oh, my,” she said through tears as her 10-year-old son, Benito, comforted her with a hug.

I surprised her with the monetary gift, donated in part by two local couples who wish to remain anonymous. Gonzales didn’t know exactly what to say except “thank you” and that she needed the money to repair something on her car so she could get to work safely. Also, her home recently was burglarized, adding to her holiday woes.

“Please thank whoever gave this to me,” she told me before I left her Morgan Township home in rural Porter County.

You just did, Alisa, in print.

She was one of several Northwest Indiana residents who were recipients of the collective $4,000 donated by the two couples, one from Hobart, the other from Portage.

The other recipients of the Christmas cash gifts are from Lake Station, Gary, Hammond, South Haven, Hobart, Wheatfield and Portage. Here’s hoping that their new year is off to a better start.

Relishing this gesture

My column last month on the Chuck Wheeler Hot Dog Stand in the Village shopping center in Gary attracted a ton of reader feedback.

It also prompted many readers to count and identify the silly puns I wrote in that column, such as “she relished the idea,” the eatery is “in a pickle,” they “peppered me,” the “salty city” and “cutting the mustard,” among others.

We had two winners, Latonia Marsh of Gary and Fred Miklusak of Griffith, who located every pun I wrote. Both winners were offered a free lunch at the landmark eatery.

However, in a truly class act, Marsh (a Gary police officer) suggested the money for her free lunch go toward a kids- and cops-related charity. Miklusak showed up for his free lunch, only to politely decline it and instead buy 10 hot dogs for the needy or homeless in that neighborhood.

“Isn’t that incredible?” said Suquior Gatlin, an employee at the hot dog stand.

Yes, that’s a wonderful gesture. Thanks again to Marsh and Miklusak.

‘Ring’ in the New Year!

Elaine McCormack of Washington Township in rural Porter County found someone’s high school class ring and she’s looking for its owner.

“I found the class ring in Highland some time ago and thought I would eventually put a found notice in the classified ad section, but I never did,” she told me.

I figured it would be a nice surprise for its owner to “ring” in the New Year.

The ladies ring states 1988 East Chicago Roosevelt with the inscription of either “PHOOOY” or “PHOODY” written on it. There also are initials printed inside the ring, and if you can identify them, call McCormack at 477-2732 or contact me.

Dear me, how are you?

With a new year upon us and resolutions on our minds, I suggest a visit to the intriguing website, www.FutureMe.org, where you can write yourself a letter to be delivered at a later date.

As the site states, “It’s sorta cool to receive a letter from yourself about where you thought you’d be a year (two years? more?) later. FutureMe.org is based on the principle that memories are less accurate than emails. We strive for accuracy.”

Maybe a letter written this week and opened a year from now will remind you of how far you came, how far you need to go, and why there’s a gap in between.

I’m getting there

Each year, I never get to all the columns I hope or plan to, and I’m forced to forward them to the following year. Well, 2011 was no different, and I apologize to all those readers who suggested column ideas to me but who never read them in the newspaper.

As I often tell people: Too many ideas, not enough time.

Finally, thanks to everyone who sent me a Christmas card or holiday greeting. Your kind gestures are greatly appreciated, and I’m touched that you included me in your mailing list.

Happy New Year, everyone, and I hope you continue to read my work in 2012 and beyond.

Listen to Jerry’s “Out to Lunch” radio show at noon today on WVLP 98.3-FM or www.wvlp.org.Or via Facebook, Twitter, and his blog.