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Santa's
Other Sleigh
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One Santa gives new meaning to the term “conversion van.” He bought a vehicle on eBay and turned it into a motorized fifteen-passenger sleigh. And, if all goes according to plan, his sleigh trips will make Christmas giving a year-round event. Heidi Robinson reports. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Greenville, S. Car.)
(Man singing) “Up on the housetop reindeer claws, out jumps good old
Santa Claus.”
Mitch Mitchell lovingly maintains the century-old Buncombe Street United
Methodist Church.
Mitch Mitchell/Charity Sleigh Driver: “When I wake
up I thank the Lord above for the talents he gave me to be able to use
my hands. It’s a pleasure to be able to use these hands to help others.”
But this is just his day job.
“Ho, Ho, Ho!”
By nightfall, Mitch Mitchell starts his true vocation … on the streets
of Greenville, South Carolina.
“Merry Christmas!”
His souped-up sleigh started life online as a van, but Mitch made it
magical.
“You want a ride?”
A sought-after invitation for all ages.
Girl: “We’ve been waiting all night!”
Jolly Old Saint Mitch charges a small fee for a sleigh ride, but that
dough isn’t going into Santa’s sack. Mitch will give his proceeds back
to the church to fund mission trips like this one – building homes and
churches in Mexico.
The Reverend Jerry Hill/Buncombe Street United Methodist Church: “That’s
his gift to us. He’s showing, ‘What can I give back?’ How can I reach
out to my community?’ And, the ripples, you don’t know where they go.
They don’t really stop.”
And the wonder of Santa’s sleigh continues; a marvelous memory…and a
vehicle for change.
Mitch Mitchell/Charity Sleigh Driver: “If people really realized what
Christmas is really all about – it’s to give, not receive. Just to
be able to give love and kindness to people.”
TAG:
A ride in the motorized sleigh costs five dollars a
passenger … and Christmas carols are on the house. The Buncombe Street
United Methodist missions team plans to build more housing this year for
families displaced by Hurricane Katrina, and take another trip to rural
Mexico. For more information, you can contact Buncombe Street United
Methodist Church at 864-232-7341.
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