“It’s the most wonderful time of the year. ”
That’s the first line from the song of the same name by Andy Williams, one of the most popular Christmas songs.
Christmas is regarded as the season of warmth and festivity, and giving gifts is one of the main ways for people to show their Christmas spirit.
However, for many, buying and giving gifts has become more difficult in recent years. With inflated prices and many people losing their jobs after the pandemic, spending money on things that aren’t absolutely necessary has become a luxury. In 2022, 57% of American adults said that they found it difficult to afford what they wanted, a 17% increase from the 40% in 2021.
This situation becomes even more difficult when involving kids. Children feel an urgency to have something that they desire immediately. They don’t possess the capacity to understand situations more critically yet.
However, a local resident is trying to improve this situation.
Steve Pruett is an employee at the EVS Mobile Repair shop in Rock Island, and during the Christmas season, he adopts the persona of Mr. Grinch.
Pruett and his team, from Black Friday to Christmas, went out six nights a week handing gifts to children all around the Quad Cities.
“The owner, Joe Vale, drives the truck for me so I can jump out and pass small toys to the kids,” Pruett stated.
This is Pruett’s first year doing this and he greatly enjoys it. “I love seeing the kids’ faces light up when they see me coming,” he said.
It was one woman’s request that stuck out to Pruett and motivated him and his team to do Mr. Grinch on a large scale. “A lady was telling us about her family’s struggles and why it would be a great thing if we could bring the truck to their neighborhood. It was at this time we decided to take some of the money donated to us and help this family, and other families, have a better Christmas,” said Pruett.
For the upcoming years, Pruett’s goals are to “reach as many people as I can with Mr. Grinch and bring as much joy to them as they bring to me,” he stated.
In a time where cheer is overshadowed by struggle, Pruett and his team are providing the joy that’s needed to all.
