Chronicle: Home For The Holidays Part 1

WEBVTT buckingham palace and this is more breathtaking CELEBRATING >> NO ON "CHRONICLE." >> I’VE BEEN TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND THIS IS MORE BREATHTAKING. >> CELEBRATING THE WONDER OF THE SEASON. >> HO HO HO MERRY CHRISTMAS! >> THROUGH THE EYES OF EVERY GENERATION. >> I LOVE THAT SANTA COMES AND HE GIVES ME PRSENTS. >> HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED. >> EVERYONE HAS A STORY. ♪ >> HO HO H IT’S A MAGICAL TIME FOR CHILDREN, ♪ >> PUTS YOU IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. WE FOUND OUR TREE! >> AND SHARING THE JOY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS >> MERRY CHRISTMAS! >> IS LIKE BEING HOME. ANNOUNCER: NOW ON "CHRONICLE, HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS." ♪ JANE: WELCOME TO "CHRONICLE," I’M JANE ROBELOT. THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS UPON US. IT IS THE TIME FILLED WITH EMOTIONS -- THE HAPPINESS OF CELEBRATING WITH LOVED ONES, THE STRESS OF TRYING TO PROVIDE FOR THE FAMILY, AND THE JOY OF GIVING. TONIGHT, WE TAKE YOU HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. REJOICING IN THE SEASON AND SHARING GOODWILL WITH OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED. ONE WAY TO LEND A HELPING HA IS THROUGH THE "HOLIDAY SUNSHINE FUND." THIS EVENING WE HAVE BEEN TAKING DONATIONS. EVERY DOLLAR HELPS SOMEONE IN NEED THIS CHRISTMAS, RIGHT HER WHERE WE LIVE. AND YOU STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO HELP. WE’LL TELL YOU HOW IN A MOMEN BUT FIRST, WE TAKE YOU TO A TOWN NEARBY THAT IS SO FULL OF THE SEASON, THEY BILL THEMSELVES AS, "CHRISTMAS TOWN." PEOPLE IN MCADENVILLE NORTH CAROLINA, STARTED A CHRISTMAS LIGHT TRADITION BACK WHEN EISENHOWER WAS PRESIDENT. TODAY, YOU CAN STILL GO TO THAT LITTLE TOWN NEAR CHARLOTTE, AND FEEL THE GLOW OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT HERE NOW IS MICHAEL COGDILL. >> IT’S A TIGHT KNIT COMMUNI >> AND IT’S JUST A SMALL TOWN AND EVERYBODY KNOWS EVERYBODY. >> ALWAYS HAS BEEN. >> THE REST OF THE PROBLEMS DON’T MATTER HER >> MY GRANDFATHER CAME HERE IN 1883. MICHAEL: IT ALL STARTED, WITH A COTTON MILL. >> I WAS MAKING 50 CENTS AN HOUR AT THAT TIME, SO IT’S COME A LONG WAY MICHAEL: A REALLY LONG WAY, SINCE DICK ROBERTS STARTED MAKING MCCADDENVILLE, A LITTLE FAMOUS >> AND THE WELDING SHOP WAS HERE ON THE BACK, WHERE WE CUT AND WELDED THE RODS AND BENT THEM AND SPELLED MERRY CHRISTMAS . MICHAEL: FEWER THAN 1000 PEOPLE LIVE HERE. >> THIS IS GOING TO BE OUR FIRST TIME. WE’RE STOKED TO SEE IT. >> IT’S JUST THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. THE ATMOSPHERE. COME CHRISTMASTIME, NEARLY EVERYTHING CHANGES. >> 1954 WAS THE YEAR WE WERE STANDING RIGHT HERE IN THIS SPOT BECAUSE WAY BACK THEN, DICK AND THEORY AND MICHAEL: BECAUSE WAY BACK THEN, DICK AND 3 OTHER MILL WORKERS TOOK TO THE SUPPLY SHOP AND WELDED UP A MERRY CHRISTMAS SIGN >> I TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE THAT I HAD A PART OF IT IN THE BEGINNING OF IT. MICHAEL: THE MILL OWNER WILLIAM FAR LOVED IT FROM THE STAR >> THE COMPANY WOULD BEAR THE EXPENSE OF HOW MANY WE WANTED TO PUT UP. MICHAEL: 63 YEARS LATER THE TOWN CHEKOV DAYTIME LABOR KEEPS MAKING NIGHTTIME MAGIC. >> HO HO HO! >> IT’S JUST A MAGICAL TIME FOR CHILDREN. THEY’RE JUST IN AWE OF ALL THESE LIGHTS. SO MANY. >> MERRY CHRISTMAS! >> AND SO MANY BIG TREES AND TREES EVERYWHERE. MICHAEL: THIS DECEMBER, THE LITTLE MILLTOWN -- >> WE ONLY USE THE TRUE CHRISTMAS COLORS, WHITE, GREEN AND RED. >> IS A BEAUTIFUL? >> IT’S JUST HOW MUCH SPIRIT THERE IS AND THE FRIENDLINESS OF THE PEOPLE -- >> WILL DRAW ABOUT 600,000 FRO ALL OVER. >> I’M FROM ARGENTINA. >> JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI. >> ROGERS, ARKANSAS. >> NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. >> CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, >> FELIZ NAVIDAD . >> THE SAME COTTON MILL FAMILY, PAYING THE LIGHT BILL. >> I WILL TELL YOU A LITTLE SECRET. MICHAEL: SO JUST ABOUT EVERY CORNER OF MCCADDENVILLE CAN LIVE UP TO THE NAME, CHRISTMAS TOWN. MANY PEOPLE GO BY AND TAKE BULB OUT FOR A SOUVENIR. [LAUGHTE A LOT OF BULBS ARE REPLACED, BUT NOBODY COMPLAINS ABOUT IT.>> MER MICHAEL: WHO COULD COMPLAIN WHEN THE CHILDREN WEAR A FACE LIKE THAT. >> YOU SEE THOSE LITTLE KIDS FACES PRESSED AGAINST THE WIND , THEIR EYES ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR, AND YOU KNOW IT IS ALL ABOUT. [LAUGHTER] MICHAEL: IN SIX DECADES AFTER THE FIRST SIMPLE SIGN, MUCH LIKE THAT ONE ON THE HILL -- >> IT IS GORGEOUS. LOOK AT ALL THE LIGHTS COME I PUT YOU IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT! MICHAEL: ABOUT A HALF-MILLIO LIGHTS, CALL SO MANY BY WIRE -- >> IT’S THE OLD TIME CHRISTMAS SPIRIT AND WE LOVE THAT -- >> TO A LITTLE MILL TOWN >> MERRY CHRISTMAS >> IT’S A CURRIER AND IVES SPECIAL IS WHAT IT IS. MICHAEL: A "MADE IN AMERICA, H HO HO CHRISTMAS TOWN YOU ARE GOOD >> OH, THIS IS A CHRISTMAS CITY. >> AND THAT THRILL OF CHRISTMAS REMAINS EVERY YEAR. JANE: WHAT A WONDERFUL GIFT FROM THE PEOPLE OF MCADDENVILLE. CREATING MEMORIES THAT WILL LAST FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. WE’RE BRIGHTENING THE HOLIDAYS FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE IN THE HOSPITAL. WYFF4 IS PROUD TO PARTNER WITH GREENVILLE HEALTH SYSTEM FOR THE VIRTUAL TOY DRIVE. AMANDA CRAWFORD SHOWS US HOW ONE SMALL DONATION, CAN IMPACT AN ENTIRE FAMILY. ! [LAUGHTER] >> CRASH[LAUGHTER] >> YOU ARE NOT A VERY GOOD DRIVER. REPORTER: IN THE BRADLEY FAMILY, NO ONE SITS STILL FOR VERY LONG. EVEN AT THE HOSPITAL >> ONE HAS A TERMINAL ILLNESS OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS, AND DJ, MY SON, WAS BORN AT 23 WEEKS. REPORTER: ALL 4 OF RENAE BRADLEY’S CHILDREN HAVE SPENT TIME IN THE NICU. >> IT’S SCARY EXPERIENCES, BUT IT’S WONDERFUL TO BE HERE . >> READY? [LAUGHTER] REPORTER: HER POSITIVE OUTLOOK IS REFLECTED IN THE FACES OF HER KIDS. DESPITE EVERYTHING THEY’VE BEEN THROUGH, THEY’VE FOUND THE JOY IN THEIR JOURNEY. BRADLEY SAYS, BECAUSE OF THI PLAY ROOM, AND THESE TOYS, HER CHILDREN CAN SMILE, EVEN IN THE FACE OF COMPLICATED PROCEDURES.> THE STICKS, THE DOCTORS COMING IN WITH BLUE MASKS ON, BECAUSE THEY JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT’S ALL ABOU >> BALLERINAS TODAY? REPORTER: CHILD LIFE SPECIALISTS, LIKE EMILY DURHAM, WORK WITH FAMILIES, TO EXPLAIN EVERYTHING, AND EASE THEIR WORRIES. >> AND THEN WE COACH THEM THROUGH THEIR EXPERIENCES AND UTILIZE A LOT OF TOYS AND DISTRACTION TO HELP WITH THAT . >> DURHAM RELIES ON DONATIONS, TO PROVIDE THE TOOLS AND TOYS SHE NEEDS TO COME FOR YOUNG PATIENTS. >> THE HOSPITAL PAYS TO TAKE CARE OF KIDS MEDICALLY, BUT WE NEED ARE THE THINGS THAT MAKE KIDS FEEL LIKE KIDS, THE TOY THE CRAFTS, THE GAMES. REPORTER: AND THAT’S WHERE THE VIRTUAL TOY DRIVE COMES IN. SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY MAKES ALL OF THIS POSSIBLE. >> CHILDREN LOVE TO PLAY, IT’S A GREAT RELEASE FOR THEM. IT IS OFTEN VERY THERAPEUTIC REPORTER: DOCTOR ROBIN LACROIX IS THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR AT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. SHE SAYS PLAY TIME CAN HELP A CHILD HEAL FASTE >> IT GIVES HIM SOME REINFORCEMENT OF THE THINGS THAT THEY ARE DOING WELL, BEING SUCCESSFUL AT THAT. BECAUSE OFTEN TIMES THEY FEEL FRUSTRATED ABOUT NOT FEELING BETTER. REPORTER: OUTSIDE THE PLAY ROOM, THE FUNDS SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES FOR PATIENTS, FACILITY DOGS TO HELP KIDS DURING TREATMENT AND OTHER PROGRAMS >>BOO YAH! [LAUGHTER] >> ANYTHING A CHILD WOULD WANT TO PLAY WITH IS SOMETHING WE NEED HERE IN THE HOSPITAL. REPORTER: BRADLEY KNOWS HER CHILDREN SOMETIMES FEEL OVERWHELMED. THEN, A SIMPLE PUZZLE OR GAME, CHANGE EVERYTHING. >> IT IS A BLESSING, THE STRESS LEAVES THEM AUTOMATICALLY. REPORTER: SHE ALSO KNOWS WHAT IT IS LIKE TO SPEND THE HOLIDAYS AND A HALF THE ROOM. BUT BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING THE VIRTUAL TOY DRIVE PROVIDES, HER KIDS CAN FORGET THEIR BATTLE, EVEN JUST FOR A MOMENT >> CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH, YOU THINK IT WILL BE A SAD TIME TO THE HERE, BUT THEY DO SO MUCH TO MAKE SURE YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE AND YOU GET TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS EVEN AT SOME OF YOUR HARDEST POINT IN YOUR LIFE. IT IS A HARD JENNY, BUT THIS PLACES ON TO US AND IT FEELS ARE COMFORTABLE HERE -- A HARD JOURNEY, BUT THI PLACE IS HOME TO US AND IT FEELS ARE COMFORTABLE HERE. REPORTER: AN THAT, SHE SAYS, IS THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF STRANGERS. IN GREENVILLE, AMANDA CRAWFORD, WYFF NEWS 4. JANE: IF YOU’D LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE VIRTUAL TOY DRIVE JUST GO TO WYFF4.COM. LOOK FOR THE LINK RIGHT THERE ON THE HOME PAGE. WHETHER YOU GIVE FIVE DOLLARS, $100, $500, YOUR DONATION WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. YOU CAN ALSO DONATE OTHER ITEMS LARGE AND SMALL, WHICH WILL HELP IN THE CARE AND TREATMENT OF CHILDREN. REMEMBER, VIRTUAL GIVING BRINGS REAL JOY. AND AS YOU ARE ABLE TO SEE RIGHT NOW, OUR PHONE BANK IS OPEN FOR THE HOLIDAY SUNSHINE FUND. IT IS IMPORTANT NOTE, 100% OF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS GO RIGHT BACK INTO OUR COMMUNITY. OUR NIGEL ROBERTSON WENT TO THE NORTHERN PAR OF GREENVILLE COUNTY TO SHOW US H ONE AGENCY IS USING YOUR GIFTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. NIGEL: THE ACTUA BUILDING IS VERY UNASSUMING. >> GOD BROUGHT ME HERE. NIGEL: THIS, HOWEVER -- >> WE ARE NORTH GREENVILLE CRISIS MINISTRY, AND LOCATED AT THE HIGHWAY 25 BY-PASS IN TRIS WHERE HELP, HAPPEN JESSICA HILL IS JUST ONE OF A COUNTLESS NUMBER OF PEOPLECOMING AND HOPING FOR SOMETHING IS THIS A TOUGH TIME OF YEAR. SH -- IS THIS A TOUGH TIME OF YEAR? >> YES, VERY. >> THANK YOU I HOPE YOU HAVE WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING. >> I’M ON A FIXED INCOME, SO- AROUND HOLIDAYS ITS VERY TOUGH. AND ITS TOUGH FOR A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ON A FIXED INCOME TOO . NIGEL: WHEN YOU SAY TOUGH, DEFINED TOUGH? >> ITS FOOD WISE, MONEY WISE ITS JUST TOUGH. NIGEL: ARE JUST ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL, THE HELP IS PILED HIGH. >> THEY CALL THIS, I GUESS THE KITCHEN BACK HERE, WHERE WE HAVE THE FOOD. IT LOOKS LIKE AN ASSEMBLY LINE. NIGEL: VOLUNTEERS LIKE AL GARABEDIAN ARE WORKING HARD, FILLING BAG AFTER BA >> ON THIS SIDE WE’VE GOT TWO CANS OF PEAS, TWO CANS OF GREE BEANS, CORN, TWO CANS OF SOUP, BOTTLE OF JUICE. NIGEL: THE LIST KEEPS GOING. THEN THE PERSON ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ASSEMBLY LINE ADDS. >> AND THE MORE WE DO THE MORE IT SEEMS LIKE THEY KEEP COMING . THIS WAS JESSICA HILL’S CART, FULL O FOOD. >> IT IS THE ONLY TIME I GET TO EAT LIKE THAT, IS THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS. NIGEL: DID YOU CATCH THAT? THE ONLY TIME SHE GETS TO EAT LIKE THIS. >> THE FOOD, TO THEM, IT IS SUC -- IT IS GOLD. IT IS GOLD TO THEM. BECAUSE SOME OF THEM HAVE COME IN AND HAVE NOT EATEN FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. AND THAT IS HARD FOR US TO FATHOM, IT IS HARD FOR US TO EVEN RELATE TO, BUT EVERY DAY, WE SEE IT EVERY DAY. REPORTER: THE NORTH GREENVILLE CRISIS MINISTRY PROVIDES FOR A SPECIFIC AREA. >> NORTH OF CHERRYDALE UP TO T NORTH CAROLINA BOARDER, WEST TO PICKENS COUNTY, EAST TO WADE HAMPTON. IT INCLUDES SEVEN ZIP CODES, 250 SQUARE MILES. NIGEL: HELP DOESN’T JUST INCLUDE FOOD IT IS ALSO CLOTHES, ALTHOUGH THEY DON’T HAVE MUCH. >> THIS IS A SIZE 38, 30. NIGEL: AND FINANCIAL AID. >> WE HELP WITH THEIR RENT O THEIR UTILITIES, AND WE PAY $100 OF THAT. NIGEL: IT MAY NOT SOUND LIKE A LOT, BUT WHAT HAPPENS HERE CAN ONLY BE DONE WHEN CHURCHES BUSINESSES, GROUPS. AND INDIVIDUALS GIVE. GIVE DONATIONS OF FOOD. DONATE THEIR BAGS OF CLOTHES. MONEY, EVEN BAGS OF HOTEL SOAP , IS THE COMMUNITY REACHES OUT TO PLACES LIKE THIS. NIGEL: HERE THEY SAY, ALL OF IT IS DESPERATELY NEEDED. >> IT IS SAD VERY SAD, TO SEE THEM COME IN. WE SEE A LOT OF SINGLE MOMS, SINGLE DADS, WE SEE A LOT OF GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDRE PERIODICALLY SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE ON DISABILITY, WE SEE OLDER PEOPLE, WE SEE YOUNGER PEOPLE. EVERYONE HAS A STORY AND SOME OF THEM, ARE SADDER THAN OTHERS. NIGE NIGEL ROBERTSON, WYFF NEWS 4, GREENVILLE COUNTY. JANE: AND REMEMBER, OUR HOLIDAY SUNSHINE FUND PHONE BANK CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THIS CHRONICLE. WE HAVE PEOPLE STANDING BY READY TO TAKE YOUR CALL. EVERY DOLLAR HELPS SOMEONE IN NEED THIS CHRISTMA ALL MONEY STAYS RIGHT HERE. THE NUMBER IS RIGHT THERE ON YOUR SCREEN, O 800-808-5824. >> IT GIVES ALL OF US HOPE. BECAUSE WHEN YOU’RE LIVING ON THE STREET, YOU DON’T SEE THAT. JANE: RINGING OUT A CALL FOR HELP AT CHRISTMASTIME. USING YOUR SPARE CHANGE TO CHANGE LIVES.