BY KYLE CREAMER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County community gave a warm welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Claus (Matthew and Angela Ross Ising) and their Sleigh Cancer fundraiser and candlelight vigil Friday evening in Inez.
The event by Give Like Santa featured live music, prize raffles and pictures with Santa in his sleigh. Baked goods, including Mrs. Claus’s famous pistachio cookies, were a favorite along with food and concession trucks.
The event was a collaboration with Pelotonia, an organization of events to raise funds for cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital.
A “wall of heroes,” also known as “survivors, fighters and angels,” displayed names of cancer patients who survived, those still fighting and those who are now angels. Pelotonia arrows symbolized the program’s dedication to moving forward to a better tomorrow.
The night concluded with the crowd gathering outside in front of the old courthouse for a candlelight vigil. It was an emotional expression of human solidarity in the face of cancer. Some lit candles to remember; others lit candles as a means of prayer or hope.
Matthew Ising displayed a heartwarming passion towards his work. As Mr. Claus he recognized the responsibilities the title he holds, so he rolled up his sleeves and got to work.
“We made it about filling the needs of the community, getting to the underprivileged kids, the kids that people don’t get to and making sure they get gifts and that they get time with Santa,” Matthew Ising said. “The other big part of the mission is that we wanted to give like Santa and love like Jesus every day of the year, not just 30 days at Christmas, but we wanted to spread that cheer and get others to be that way because why not? Christmas brings out the best of us and why not have the best of us every day?”
They are working with communities and churches to bring gifts to those in need, leading to the creation of a new side to their mission.
“October, November, December and some in July, we work for businesses and places in need. I dress up in Hawaiian shirts and shorts and just be a happy-go-lucky Santa, but then we looked at that and that still leaves six or seven months out of the year,” said Ising. “What do we do? One part is a business, two is “Where do we spend our time?” Mrs. Claus came up with “Why don’t we do Santa Causes.”
Sleigh Cancer is among the Santa Causes to which the Isings dedicate their work.
Angela Ising took note of the Martin County community and how accepting it has been for them and their work.
“We got a lot of donations for items to raffle and very generous sponsorship from the city and the tourism board,” Angela Ising said. “It makes us feel good because we have been here for years, and we’ve kind of felt like outsiders, but now we’re getting to know people. We know how giving this town is.”
The Isings plan to improve upon the event, making it even bigger for next year.
