Cherokee County, Northwest Iowa | Back in the mid-70's @ Iowa State University, our dorm house, along with a women's house, sponsored a Christmas party for a busload of kids from Woodward, which was a state-run institution for mentally challenged youths. Upon the advice of the Woodward staff, we went out and purchased some small gifts, wrapped them up, put them under the Christmas tree in the Tea Room (any ISU grads remember that snack room?), shared the opening of the gifts with the kids (about 8 years old), sang songs, played games, etc.
Time came to end party, escorted the kids out to their bus for their ride home. I swear, not a dry eye to be found. Said our goodbyes, returned to start cleaning up the place, and here comes the bus back within 5 minutes. They are missing one kid. Where is he??? Middle of December, cold out, missing kid. Called Ames police. Broke up into pairs and started searching immediate area.
Turns out the Ames Police picked him up running west on Hwy. 30, no coat, about a mile away. When asked why he ran away, he said "I was having so much fun, I don't want to go back home."
Bruce. |
I have a Christmas story, do you?
