The cars were in Santa’s way.
That’s what stood out to Chloee Matlock, 4, as she waited patiently for St. Nick to arrive July 23 to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fisher House Christmas in July party.
Though the traffic did indeed delay Santa, along with a few of his elves, it didn’t put a damper on the day. “Santa’s going to bring me lots of presents,” said Chloee, who, along with her sister Ella, 2 ½, and Lance Blaisdell, 5, waited patiently in the home’s living room for the big man to arrive. The three youngest residents of Fisher House were soon rewarded with brightly wrapped Christmas gifts and stockings stuffed with toys, candy and other goodies.
The annual event “brings a smile to their face,” said longtime Fisher House volunteer (and Santa’s helper) Herb Schmeling. ”If we take for granted that Fisher House is a place where families can be a part of the rehabilitation and healing process, then what we do is bring a little bit of cheer.”
All gifts and in-kind donations were courtesy of the United Services Organization, Association of the United States Army and Armed Forces Bank.
“It’s really nice for the kids,” said Amanda Matlock, Chloee and Ella’s mother. The family has been staying at the home for several weeks while her husband, Private 1st Class Brandon Matlock, an Oregon National Guardsman currently stationed with the JBLM Warrior Transition Unit, receives outpatient therapy at Madigan Army Medical Center. “It’s hard for them to be away from home and school,” she said. “[The party] is good for them.”
Other Fisher House residents attending the annual event included Private 1st Class Tyler Hollows, who is living at the home while recovering from lymphoma; (Navy E-6 ) Scott and Chrissy Fitzgerald, whose 3-week-old twins, Scott Jr. and Patrick, are in the MAMC Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; (Navy E-2) Joseph and Alison Blaisdell, whose twins Drake and Cora, born July 5, are in the NICU; and (Navy E-6) Don and Deanna Salmon, whose premature daughter, Leyna, born July 11, is also in the NICU. All of the babies received blankets, clothes and other gifts, and their parents also received goodie bags.
The event began several years ago as a way to break up the monotony of a long, hot summer, said Schmeling, and do something for the kids. Once it was clear residents would be at the house on the day of the party, they were asked to complete a “wish list,” said Fisher House Manager Jodi Land. “We do it for the kids,” she added. “It’s got to be really hard for them to be out of their home environment, so any kind of focus you can put on them always seems to be worthwhile.”
“If I get a wow today, I will be happy,” Schmeling said prior to the event. He got his wish – and then some. Adults ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ as they opened hand-knitted baby blankets, summer weight “healing quilts” for the injured and ill service members, hand-made pillow cases and all sorts of toys for the children.
No Christmas party would be complete without a traditional holiday meal, and the Fisher House Christmas in July delivered. Supplied by Soldiers’ Angels volunteer Erin Sitterly and her niece, Marisol, the menu included baked ham, fresh green beans, mashed potatoes and rolls.
“The reason I do it is because of that,” Sitterly said, referring to the smiles and squeals coming from the home’s living room as the children opened and played with their toys. “That’s all I can say.”
By Melanie Casey
JBLM Fisher House
