Holiday cheer spread at A Touch of Country Christmas
Haidyn Harper smiles while hanging out with the llama that Brittney Iceman was showing to students who attended the River View FFA A Touch of Country Christmas. Josie Sellers | Beacon
COSHOCTON – The River View FFA ag shop was once again turned into a Christmas wonderland for area youth.
“It takes us two weeks to work on all the finishing touches for this,” said Allyssa Mullett, one of the FFA advisors. “It’s a real transformation in here. It takes a lot of effort and a lot of community service hours from the kids.”
The annual A Touch of a Country Christmas was held Dec. 13 at River View High School and also was scheduled for Dec. 14, but was cancelled and rescheduled due to a snow day. Mullett said they wrote letters inviting students from all the district elementary schools, Hopewell, Head Start and East Knox.
“We do this to bring Christmas cheer,” she said. “It’s a tradition for us.”
Those who attend got to enjoy a petting zoo, a coloring activity, make an ornament, play games, ride ponies from Triple R Stables, meet with Santa, have a snack and take home a bag of magic reindeer food.
“Our petting zoo is pretty big this year,” Mullett said. “We have everything from rabbits to llamas to calves and lots of different animals.”
Sophomore Hailie Brookover brought her miniature horse to show those who attended the event.
“I like being able to let the kids pet the animals and interact with them,” she said.
Warsaw Elementary School third graders Haidyn Harper and Kayden Billman both liked visiting with the llamas that were being watched over by senior Brittney Iceman.
“I love seeing all the kids that come and how happy they are,” Iceman said.
Gavin Kocsis, a fourth grader at Warsaw, and Jayme Baker, a fifth grader at the school, both agreed the ponies were cool.
Jim Rich, another River View FFA advisor and Tom Roahrig from Triple R Stables both took a moment to sit back and watch all the excitement.
“All the work is worth it when you see the kids,” Rich said.
Roahrig agreed with him.
“It’s nice to get to see the rewards of your work, which is the kids’ smiles,” Roahrig said.
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