Christmas is near. As a child I found Christmas magical. As an adult, I find Christmas more meaningful than magical because my faith is very important to me and it serves as a wonderful reminder of Jesus’ birth.

 

Christmas usually means the onset of craft sales and cookie exchanges. My annual family tradition of making lefse happened last weekend and I attended the annual lutefisk supper at Glendorado Lutheran church in mid-November. 

 

My mom and sisters made a point to visit South Santiago Lutheran church annual craft and bake sale a few weekends ago. It’s a chance to support local organizations and vendors! My sister and I purchased a lovely spruce tip planter from Becker Girl Scout Cadette Troop 259. They were selling planters, premium 24” wreaths and evergreen hanging baskets to raise money to support local community projects and Girl Scout activities.

 

South Santiago Lutheran church was full of quality local crafters and vendors selling their wares, as well as the ladies aid serving up fresh sloppy joes, chili, wild rice soup and an assortment of homemade bars. Fresh lefse was also for sale. Proceeds from the church bake sale benefit a variety of local ministries including Bible school and local and global missions.

 

Phyllis Steckelberg had a booth at the craft sale selling her hand-made cashmere mittens. Phyllis is a passionate quliter from Becker and started quilting in 1975. She is a bubbly, energetic and fun person and has earned several awards locally for her quilting, as well as honorable mention in atleast one large juried show. Phyllis told me: “I started making mittens from thrift shop wool sweaters in 2011. I discovered that I absolutely loved working with wool! They come in any color and pattern, so each pair of mittens is unique.  I never get bored, despite having made about 1,200 pairs!” 

 

Most of the proceeds raised from the mittens support several wonderful organizations. Steckelberg recently heard that a Becker church youth group was making mittens as a fundraiser and donated 100 mitten ‘kits’ she had put together for their cause. 

 

Phyllis has been using a great deal of the money she raises from selling the mittens to support Mercy Corps since 1996, which is a worldwide charity providing emergency aid after disasters. She discovered Heifer International in 2011 and also started donating to their cause, which is to help raise money for impoverished families worldwide by giving them livestock, suitable to their region and training them how to care for and increase their livestock.  The people supported by Heifer International are able to supplement their diet and income from milk or wool, eggs, or meat. Phyllis said she has read about amazing success stories. The recipients must enter a “pay it forward” program which entails giving a female baby (cow, sheep, whatever) to another qualifying family.

 

Phyllis says she figures has bought six cows so far!

 

Steckelberg has an interesting background, having worked as a medical research scientist in the surgery department at University of Minnesota at the same time as transplant surgeon John Najarian worked at the University. 

 

Phyllis is married to Mike and they live in a beautiful house north of Becker! Mike works as an electrical engineer at Great River Energy. Phyllis has four grown boys and Mike has two grown children. The couple has ten grandchildren total. They also have two Siamese twin cats.

 

Phyllis is a very civic minded person and a great reminder to think of others - not just at Christmas - but all year long.

 

God bless you and your family at Christmas and always. I’m making it a goal to take time to remember the reason for the season; and also to share a smile and a word of cheer.