A big lesson in giving

A Kendallvue Elementary School mom — with the help of some elves — made Christmas a bit brighter for some school families last week.
When Tricia Ribble heard that a few families were unable to pay their water bills and had no water in their houses, let alone presents for Christmas, she jumped into action.

Melinda Conrad-Symonds, Kendallvue’s social worker, left, with parent Tricia Ribble.

She told the story to her husband, a neighbor, her father-in-law and her aunt, and among them they paid the back water bills for four families, plus donated more than $1,000 in gift cards to grocery and clothing stores to help Kendallvue’s families in need.
“I’ve never seen anything quite like it, quite frankly,” said school secretary Kathy Hetzel.
For Ribble, helping the families wasn’t anything special. She was simply giving to families less fortunate.
“I tell my kids: ‘You need to consider yourselves lucky,’ ” Ribble said. “Our kids have what they need. They have the basics and well above that, and they need to realize not everybody else has that.”
For about five years, Kendallvue has sponsored a giving tree with ornaments that list school families who are in need of help for Christmas, Hetzel said. This year, as a result of the poor economy, the number of requests for help increased.
Last Tuesday, Ribble was in the school office and overheard a couple of teachers lamenting that they might not be able to fulfill every wish on the tree. She offered to take the remaining ornaments, saying she would find a way to get everything that was needed.
Then Ribble sprang into action. She called her father-in-law, Denver small-business owner Darryl Ribble and explained the situation, and he was more than willing to help.
She also called her aunt, Vicky Ribble, and neighbor Jill Bixby, and they agreed to donate, too. Jill also went to her place of employment and collected additional donations.
Ribble also told her husband, Steve, of her plan, and he was all for it.
She says she’s lucky to have family members and friends who will support her causes.
Ribble said she couldn’t imagine going through the winter months without water. She knew of a child who was coming to school early to use the school’s shower facilities, and of families melting snow for water.
“It was amazing,” Hetzel said of Ribble’s generosity. “They were able to turn around what could have been bleak Christmases for some of our families.”

Contact Deb Hurley Brobst at deb@evergreenco.com or 303-350-1041. Check www.HighTimberTimes.com for updates.