Dear Editor,

Once again, I am so full of gratitude that saying “thank you” doesn’t seem like enough. While preparing for our 3rd Annual Christmas Wish Tree project this year, I was concerned with the state of the economy, that we would have more requests for gifts and not enough donors. I should have realized that I live in the greatest community ever and there was no need for concern! We did have more requests than any other year for gifts for children and adults; however, to my surprise and delight, I could not keep up with the number of people asking to sponsor families struggling financially this holiday season. Every time we received two or three names for the Wish Tree, an individual or organization would show up wanting five or six names. I was shocked at the number of times this happened.

This year our community provided Christmas gifts for 95 children and adults. As a charity, we received more thank you cards from the recipients of your generous gifts than ever before. There were several parents who could not hold back tears of joy because their children would wake up Christmas morning and have gifts to open. Each adult that was on our Wish Tree was overcome with emotion and appreciation.

Most of the gifts provided for our Wish Tree families were received from individual families in our community. This year was a year of teaching children about giving to others. Many parents brought in their children to choose names from the tree so they could shop together for those in less-fortunate situations. The children were so excited to be buying gifts for other kids even though they didn’t know them.

There were also several organizations sponsoring children this year. ABATE - Christmas for Kids bought gifts for 11 children, including a bike for a little girl. Her mother was stunned and you could see she was so excited at the anticipated excitement of her daughter. Other organizations who bought gifts included The Gold Wing Riders and the Spring Creek High School Student Council. Each group and individual was so excited about buying gifts. I was astounded each and every day at their enthusiasm, and even more amazed at the number of gifts each person received.

As in the past, there are always last-minute entries for the Wish Tree. This year, however, there were nine children added at the end of the program. I sent out an email to members of the Downtown Business Association (DBA) and some other business associates, and did they ever come to the rescue! Those businesses who helped us fulfill the wishes of every name on our Wish Tree this year are Cucina Fresca, Drake Appraisal Service, What 2 Wear, employees of the Western Folklife Center, Divine Expressions, Ruby Mountain Pawn, Grooming by Karen, Kelly Builders, and Miche Bags by Keli. My sincere thanks goes out to each of you for taking time at this busy time of year to make it special for these children.

I would also like to thank those of you who volunteer and shop at Mishmash & Muddle all year long. You are all blessings beyond my imagination. Flora Boyer and Ilona Chamness are not only at the consignment store on a regular basis, they care about it like it is their own store. I don’t know how I would have gotten along without their help. To my consignors who put their trust and in me with their possessions and works, my eternal gratitude is beyond words. The items you sell at Mishmash & Muddle, help to run our charity all year long. Thank you to TJ’s Quick Check for helping me get many of the gifts distributed in a timely manner. One last thank you goes out to the Elko Independent for the numerous articles written about the Wish Tree project, KENV-TV, KRJC, and all the radio stations that promoted our Christmas Wish Tree program.

Once again, to all the donors who gave so generously, each hug and heartfelt thank you I received was meant for you. Please accept my personal thanks and the recipients’ thanks for your kindness. I am so proud and happy to call Elko home and as I said at the beginning of this letter, thank you doesn’t seem to express how truly grateful we at A Lift Up Org are.

With sincere gratitude,
Mary McGarry
Vice President, A Lift Up Org
and Mishmash & Muddle

ELKO - For those who like the idea of carrying different purses every day to match their outfits, but don't like the idea of moving their things from one bag to another during chaotic mornings, the Miche Bag is the accessory to have.

The purse has a removable outer shell attached magnetically, which allows the outside of the bag to be changed without the hassle of dealing with the contents of the bag.

Keli Messerly sells the bags at Mishmash, & Muddle, through private home shows in the Elko area and events and fairs like the upcoming Lamoille Women's Club chili feed.

The base bag costs $29.99 and comes with short handles in either brown or black. Long handles can be purchased for an additional fee.

Shells cost $19.95 each or can be purchased in bundles at a discounted rate.

Those who host home shows receive discounts based on sales at the event.

Shells are attached by laying them flat on the table, placing the purse in the middle and lifting each side up. The magnets do not effect credit cards, cell phones or other electronic devices.

“I just fell in love with it because I just thought it was a brilliant concept,” Messerly said, calling it an affordable way to have a purse for every outfit.

Messerly has 43 different shells and two new ones are available each month.

For more information about purchasing the bags or hosting a home show, call Messerly at 397-8900 or e-mail kelimesserly@yahoo.com.


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ELKO -Christmas at Debra Morrill's house has always been about family and the joy of giving, but as a mother, her favorite part is the way her children smile Christmas morning when they open presents.

This year, it won't be the presents she and her husband painstakingly pick out that will bring smiles to the faces of three of their children - it will be those picked out by community members for the Mishmash & Muddle Christmas Wish Tree.

Morrill, her husband and children ages 9, 11 and 16 moved to Elko in September from Arizona because her husband relocated for his job.

On their trip here, their moving trailer broke down and many of their belongings were stolen, the rest thrown out of the trailer, she said.

When they got to Elko, one of her husband's co-workers referred them to Friends in Service Helping and they were subsequently referred to Mishmash & Muddle.

“I don't know what we would have done without her,” Morrill said of Mary McGarry of Mishmash & Muddle.

“She's a very caring soul and makes it feel like it's OK to ask and not bad to take the help,” she said.

“It's a very humbling experience to have to go through that and ask for help when you're trying to be self-sufficient,” Morrill said.

Since moving to Elko, her husband left his job, so the family of five is temporarily living off of her income.

“I've always tried to teach my kids it's about giving, not getting, but at this point there's not much to give,” she said.

That's where the community steps in. Mishmash & Muddle, in addition to accepting donations to give as presents for residents at Highland Manor, takes referrals from other agencies and churches in the community for children who would not otherwise receive presents.

It's wonderful to know there are people out there who are willing to help, Morrill said.

It's the second year the organization is sponsoring the program that allows community members to purchase gifts for children and senior citizens.

They won't receive everything they would like - all Morrill's 9-year-old son wants is for his family from California to be with him to celebrate - but it will make Christmas morning a little more special.

While she appreciates the help, she also appreciates what she already has - “as long as we have each other, we have a whole lot.”

Mishmash & Muddle is still accepting donations for seniors and children. The store is located at 443 Idaho St.


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