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December 23, 2022 | Vol. 3 Iss. 51
Christmas tradition serves 700 children in need
By Becky Ginos becky.g@davisjournal.com FARMINGTON—It was 36 years ago that Frank and Barbara Frodsham started Family Community Christmas. The Frodshams would drive down to Salt Lake City and pick up the homeless and bring them back to their horse farm where they provided them with warm hats, clothes and toys for the little ones. Although the Frodshams are no longer involved, their tradition has been carried on and last week, the annual event held at the Avalanche Soccer Complex served 700 children. “It started out with 17 people,” said Co-chair Scott Ellenson. “This year we’re helping 650 plus kids and 270 families. It’s grown a little bit.” Ellenson said he didn’t want it to end. “In 2018 we formed a board of three, me, Ryan Marriott and JC Bolton. It’s an actual charity now we’re a 501(3c).” The event is close to his heart, said Ellenson. “This will be the 15th year that I’ve been a part of it. I volunteered with my daughters and I fell in love with it.” Each family is matched with a host volunteer, he said. “They escort them through and get to know the family.” Everyone gets a blanket and everything is free, Ellenson said. “They can shop for books, hats, socks and we give them hygiene kits. Shampoos, etc. are super expensive for someone who is struggling.” Kids could sit on Santa’s lap or take a ride on a pony. “Every kid gets one new toy that’s wrapped and their parents too,” he said. “It’s not just the individual child who is in need. We also invite their siblings because there’s the potential that the other kids are in need too.” Please see EVENT: pg. 2
NEWS BREAK The U.S. will send a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. How will it help?
The transfer of the sophisticated missile system comes amid a Russian barrage on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The announcement came as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington.
Hazardous winter weather could threaten holiday travel across the U.S.
Just as travel returns to pre-pandemic levels, an arctic front in the Midwest and record-breaking cold temperatures along the Gulf Coast and in the Eastern U.S. could bring dangerous conditions.
China limits how it defines COVID deaths in official count
China only counts deaths from pneumonia or respiratory failure in its official COVID-19 death toll, a Chinese health official said, in a narrow definition that limits the number of deaths reported.
Homeward Bound! Dog, found 1,600 miles away, will be home for Christmas
FAMILY COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CO-CHAIR SCOTT ELLENSON waits with 3-year-old Jurnee Clopten so she can sit on Santa’s lap.
Photo by Becky Ginos
Record-breaking respiratory viruses filling hospitals to capacity By Becky Ginos becky.g@davisjournal.com SALT LAKE CITY—January isn’t even here yet and already hospitals are getting hit hard with communicable viruses like RSV, influenza and COVID-19. Cases are higher nationwide and the numbers physicians are seeing are usually during the peak time of January and February. “It’s spreading rapidly and widely,” said Dr. Per Gesteland, pediatric hospital-
The German shepherd mix went missing in October 2021. Now, the friendly pooch is on a cross-country road trip from Kansas to California, back to the family who adopted him as an abandoned puppy.
Travel is back but hotel staff are not
Travelers have returned from the pandemic, but hotel workers have not, creating unprecedented staffing challenges for the hospitality industry. According to the Labor Department, there are 350,000 fewer people working in hotels today than there were in February 2020, before the pandemic.
California Earthquake kills at least 2 At least 2 people have been killed, and 11 injured following a 6.4 magnitude earthquake that struck northern California late Monday. Power remains off for over 70,000 customers in Humbolt county. Scientists are warning that potentially strong aftershocks are likely to follow over the next week as the area attempts to gauge the damage.
Please see VIRUSES: pg. 2 A PATIENT BRACES herself for a needle poke as she gets a flu shot. Physicians are seeing a spike in RSV and influenza that are overwhelming the healthcare system.
Photo courtesy of IHC
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