Holiday Hoopla

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Dec. 26, 2008 - When Associate Actuary Joe Hohman sat down in the middle of the Pfeiffer-Burleigh atrium, the kindergartners went wild. The wide-eyed children jumped up and down in excitement.

“It’s Santa,” they yelled. “Santa’s here!”

Hohman dressed up like the red-suited gent and presented gifts, donated by Erie Insurance Employees, to more than 700 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. This holiday tradition is one of many activities coordinated through ERIE’s Adopt-A-School partnership.

“What we’re able to do with these kids because of ERIE is fabulous,” said Personal Lines Underwriter Marti Garofalo, ERIE’s kindergarten representative. “Employees who donate gifts or money don’t get to see how much this helps some of the families.”

Home Office Employees filled pencil boxes and wrapped hats and gloves for the students. Some Employees such as Cindy Bastow and Donna Brigham also volunteered at the holiday party.

“I come here and watch these children open their gifts and see what Christmas is all about,” said Bastow, product development specialist and fourth grade representative. “You see that so little can mean so much to a child.”

“These children are so appreciative,” said Brigham, policy servicing clerk. “I have been reading for kindergartners for five years, and I know these children don’t have much. They are so excited about hats, gloves and pencil boxes. They really do appreciate anything.”

Santa Joe

Hohman was a Santa rookie. “Considering I hadn’t planned on being Santa that day, I’d say it went pretty well,” he said. “I was recruited at the last minute but I was happy to help.”

Hohman has volunteered to help with Pfeiffer-Burleigh students in the past. He has read to the kindergartners and performed magic shows.

“Somebody told me after the holiday party that I had spoken with about 715 students,” Hohman said. “I would have thought maybe a couple hundred or so but not 700. I couldn’t believe it.”

The children’s enthusiasm also made an impression on Hohman. “I do remember thinking a couple times how refreshing yet frightening it was for the children to be so unguarded,” he said. “They were hugging me and looking me in the eye and telling me what they wanted for Christmas. There was no holding back of any emotion; they were giving me everything.”

And sometimes the presence of goodwill combined with a bit of compassion is what these children need.

“I think the kids got something out of it, and I know I sure did,” said Hohman. “Bringing a smile to a child’s face is really what Christmas is all about.”

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