The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
‘THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER’
City gifts recently deployed military family in Eastlake
An entourage of officials and citizens surprised a deployed military family with “the best Christmas ever.”
Eastlake Mayor Dennis Morley and Willowick Mayor Rich Regovich, along with the Eastlake Economic Development Committee (ECDC) and members of the community came together about 9 a.m. Christmas Day to present the Rau-Elle Wilkins family with Christmas cheer.
“This is where we show our Christmas spirit and caring for each other in the community,” said Eastlake City Council member Michael Zuren, who participated with his daughter Delaney.
The ECDC searched for a military family within the City of Eastlake who had a family member deployed and who could use some extra help for Christmas.
Rau-Elle Wilkins Sr. just returned from a deployment to Puerto Rico. And the Wilkins mom, Noire Whitehead, is
expecting the couple’s fourth child. They and their children – 7-year-old Skylar and 4-year-old twins RauElle Jr. and Israel – were selected by ECDC for the Christmas morning surprise.
“This was the greatest experience I have ever had. I thank my wife for accepting while I was away,” Wilkins said. “I thank you guys for definitely going above what I was expecting, I never expected anything like this.”
Both Mayors, Zuren and Delaney, along with Eastlake City Council member Jason Kasunick and newly elected council member Jim Overstreet were joined at Willo-Lake Church at 34950 Lakeshore Blvd. in Eastlake by the Rev. Todd Gulley, Fire Chief Ted Whittington, who brought out a department fire truck; George Deveny, who played Santa, and his wife Pat; and approximately twenty other members from the community who boarded a bus provided by Laketran to ride to the Wilkins’ apartment.
The family was surprised with lots of Christmas presents provided by Asa Cox of Century 21 Realty, and a full
Christmas dinner provided by Whittington.
Zuren said the event was great for bringing the community together. He read a proclamation thanking Wilkins for his service and declaring the day to be the “Wilkins Family Christmas Day.”
Then Morley, who said it was a great day for the cities of Eastlake and Willowick to give a Christmas to one of the city’s deployed, presented Wilkins with a key to the city.
Saying a few words to the family, Regovich added he thought the kids and Santa both loved it, and it was a great way to honor someone who served.
Gulley offered prayer to bless the family and their home. And Santa hoisted a bag of presents which he handed out to the family.
Whittington wrapped up the morning by taking the family for a ride in the fire truck.
“This is the best Christmas I have ever had and to be able to enjoy this with the kids and with family,” Whitehead said. “You guys are like are extended family now. And we thank you guys. We didn’t expect this, something so simple made the day so enjoyable.”
Skylar said it was great and that Santa was her favorite part and all the toys he brought.