1st Place, News Story
2021-22, Division 4, News Writing
By Olivia Rodriguez
The Informer
Laingsburg HS
Believing in Santa Claus is a privilege for kids whose parents can afford gifts for them. Some kids do not have this luxury, and so they are forced to stop believing at an early age. Sawdust Santas exists to make sure that more kids may keep their Christmas spirit alive.
Sawdust Santas is a charity started by Pete Eisinger that provides handcrafted toys to underprivileged youth for Christmas. The workshop is in Laingsburg, and is 100% volunteer-operated.
“When I was younger, I guess I was considered underprivileged or ‘in need’, so that put it in my heart from an early age that I wanted to help other kids like myself,” Eisinger said.
Eisinger knew the feeling of not receiving fancy gifts like other kids, so he wanted to lessen this feeling in children who could relate to him.
“A lot of the time you listen to the wrong voices in your head,” Eisinger said. “I finally stopped listening to the naysayers, and I started listening to the ones that said ‘go help those kids.’”
Sawdust Santas has been successful in its cause for 12 years now. As well as providing gifts to Laingsburg, Sawdust Santas also extends services to the children of Owosso, Perry, and Ashley.
“We’re trying to make heirloom quality toys that can be passed down,” Eisinger said. “I have already had some people say, ‘well, I had some cousins that were a little younger, so I gave them my train set.’”
Eisinger has practiced woodworking since he was in high school, and his toy-making skills reflect his extensive experience. Using a high quality material like wood, has allowed the toys to last longer while giving them more heart and soul.
“The first year, every three to five year old got a wooden caterpillar, so I knew that I wanted to change up the system. So then, we created the brochures,” Eisinger said.
Parents may choose a gift for their child from a brochure or catalog of toys. This year, the selection of toys includes a stand-up desk for children and teens, a T-rex desk lamp, a play kitchen, a tongue drum, and several other wooden creations. As head elf, Pete Eisinger could not complete all the work without the help of the rest of the elves.
“I had always just thought about the families receiving our gifts being the only thing that Sawdust Santas is all about, but I’m finding out that this cause means a lot to our volunteers,” Eisinger said.
Most of the volunteers, or elves, are retirees or senior citizens. Helping to improve a child’s Christmas experience is important to them and they may feel like it has given them a new purpose.
“Giving is an important thing in life,” elf, Paul Lang, said. “I think it is a really good cause to provide presents to kids who don’t have the access that a lot of other kids have.”
As a volunteer, Lang enjoys the woodworking aspect and helping families who are in need.
Eisinger explained that students who come help are very appreciated. The Laingsburg High School Newspaper class went to spend part of its day to help the Sawdust Santas get ready for the forthcoming delivery date for the gifts. They did the sanding work which usually takes up quite a bit of time for the usual volunteers.
Sawdust Santas is always looking for more volunteers to help. For more information regarding volunteering, you may contact Sawdust Santas on their Facebook Page or email them at SawdustSantas@gmail.com.
NW-02. News Story
News stories should report but not interpret events that have news value and timeliness to the publication’s readers. Advance stories may be included in this category.
Judging Criteria
- Sharp, attention-getting lead that underscores news story importance
- The most important, relevant and timely information is near the beginning of the story
- Emphasizes news elements, i.e. timeliness, nearness, impact, and prominence
- Shows thorough reporting skills; develops an understanding of the issues/problems through interviews with varied and balanced sources
- Effective use of facts/quotes gathered predominantly from primary sources. Secondary sources, if used, are cited appropriately.
- Avoids opinion unless properly attributed
- Sentences, paragraphs of varied length; written clearly, concisely, and vividly
- Proper diction/grammar; use of third person