Santa's new house shows community spirit in action
Structure built entirely through donations
Santa's new house in downtown Marion is so nice he may be having second thoughts about returning to the North Pole.
If not for the efforts of numerous Marion area people, the pretty red house with white trim may not have become a reality.
"It's another good example of what can happen when the community comes together," said Roger Schwab, Marion High School industrial education teacher and one of the builders.
"Everything about that house was donated. The lumber, the paint, the time involved, and it didn't cost taxpayers a cent," Schwab said.
In the beginning
Santa's house, located between Suffield's and Duckwall's, has been a Christmas season fixture in downtown Marion for years.
Marion resident Anita Seacat of Seacat True Value said she first noticed the decaying Santa house while in their previous store downtown.
"My second year here I said 'it looks awful.' So I painted it."
Last year, as Santa listened to the Christmas wishes of children in his drafty residence, Seacat decided the white-bearded gentleman needed a new house.
"It was an extremely cold day and I remember we sat there freezing. The old house was infested with termites which had gotten worse over the spring and summer and in the back there was a large hole," Seacat remembered.
Seacat mentioned the idea to Margo Yates, executive secretary for the Marion Chamber of Commerce, who also was there "freezing."
"Then come about October (two months ago) Margo says, 'I got something going on a Santa house'," Seacat said.
Seacat and Yates then began looking for people.
Building a dream
"I thought maybe Roger Schwab's shop class (at Marion High) could put it together," Seacat said. "He thought it could be done — if the materials were donated."
Schwab said building Santa's house was a joint project between the school, chamber, city, and numerous community volunteers.
"The students in construction class framed it, but ran out of time — as we knew we would," Schwab said. "Then the week before Thanksgiving community volunteers helped finish it up."
Working on community projects is standard procedure for the sophomores, juniors and seniors who participate in Schwab's construction class.
"We do whatever work we can pick up," he explained. "Two years ago, we built the extension on the city auditorium stage. Last year, we built the press box at the football stadium. We always try to have something to work on."
Schwab said his students were really interested in this project because it was "something for the little kids."
Later, when the students ran out of time, a number of community volunteers turned out to finish up.
"These people came in on a Saturday and worked for seven hours," Schwab said.
The Jim Versch family was in charge of painting Santa's house. Jim completed the interior painting, while wife Judy and son Joel, a senior at MHS, primed and painted the exterior. Joel painted the sign that states, "Santa's House" on the front of the structure.
'The Saturday before Thanksgiving there was nothing but floors and studs. I didn't think there was any way it could possibly be done in time." said Jim's wife, Judy. "But all these people came together, worked on it, and made it a reality.
"I call it the miracle house," she added.
Jim Versch's artwork inside the house includes a 3-D painted fireplace mantle.
"It looks so realistic," Seacat said.
Like the rest of the materials, a carpet inside Santa's house also was donated.
Judy Versch credits Margo Yates with making sure the house was finished on time.
"It wouldn't have happened without Margo," Judy Versch said. "She was able to get carpenters to come and help and if anyone needed anything she was right there to run and make all the connections.
"She was there at the right time," Judy Versch added. "I was saying I didn't think there was any way this house was going to be done on time. But Margo kept saying, 'Don't give up the faith!'"
As it turned down, absolutely everything needed to build the house was donated.
"It just happened," Seacat said in amazement talking about the way the little house came together. "And everyone did an excellent job getting it done on time."
Marion area children seemed to appreciate the hard work. Approximately 50 children stopped by during Santa's first visit Dec. 1.
"There's even a mail slot in the door where kids can leave letters to Santa when he's not there," Seacat said. "Those letters will be published in the Marion County Record.
The house itself is a pretty comfortable place and is even equipped with electricity, so a space heater can be plugged in for warmth — not that Santa usually needs it.
"Our Santa is doing a wonderful job," Seacat said, noting he was handing out coloring books and candy canes.
Santa will be at his house again 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 15 and 22 to visit with area children.
"It was really just a neat project," Judy Versch said. "I couldn't believe how many people were involved."
Following are the names of other individuals, businesses or organizations who contributed to the new Santa house in some manner through donations of time, labor, or funding. Also included in the list are individuals involved in making the Santa' visits possible.
MHS construction class volunteers members are Jared Adams, Jake Adkins, Rhonny Bowers, Michael Darrow, Chris Freeby, Rod LeShure, Dallas Wells and Jennifer Verbic.
Central National Bank, Janet and Doug Marler, Debbie Cook, Marion Die and Fixture, Jerry Cady Agency, Scully Estates, Marion Girl Scouts, Marion Pharmacy, Juanita Stovall, Marion Lumber, Rodney Richmond, Marian Ogden and Barely Making It Antiques, David Shiplett, County Seat, Seacat's True Value, Darvin Markley, the City of Marion crew, Suffield's, Gene Winkler, Royal Smith, Harlow Warneke, Doug Newman, Chris Costello, Tim Mastin, the Marion County Sheriff's Department, Janie Meierhoff, Ken Newell, community service kids, and members of Marion Fire Department.
