3 hours early Saturday, morning did more to put me in the holiday spirit and renew my faith in humanity than anything else this year. Let me explain Saturday I was scheduled to work the early shift for our KGW Great Toy Drive. It was a cold, dark & windy morning. The temperature in the 20's with the wind at 25-30mph windchills were in the teens. Driving to East Port Plaza my plan was to help set up the collection site, and possibly collect a few toys from early bird shoppers.That was the plan, the reality totally different! Not a few people had shown up to donate toys but dozens and dozens of people came by. At one point we had 8 or 9 cars backed up at the drop off area.

What tugged at my heart the most the people who did the majority of giving. I think many could have qualified for the toy give-a-way. They'd arrive braving the cold and wind, individuals and families stand in a line to put a toy or two in the Les Schwab van. Over and over I would hear, I can't give much but I want to help. They could have stayed at home in a warm bed on an early Saturday morning but didn't. They came out to help make someones life just a little bit
better.

To all of you who came out thank you ! Thank you for donations to the great toy drive. Thank for reminding me that most people are kind and generous souls, willing to help there neighbors when asked.If you want to help we 3 days left in our toy drive.

Speaking of Christmas, If you've not been up the Columbia River Gorge,
think about taking a drive up that way this week. The gorge is always a spectacular but right now some unusual sights can be seen! The icy temperatures and winds have turned the Latourell waterfall into an ice fall. Water seeping out of rocks along the Historic Columbia River Highway has created walls of ice.

The Pictures below were taken by Steve Pierce, of Vancouver, Sunday afternoon.
Enjoy
Dave
dsalesky@kgw.com

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img alt="Roadside ice.jpg"