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Hudson couple receives, responds to letters on behalf of Santa
Richelle and Gary Jader also wrote a book called The Santa Mailbox they say is a story for all of Santa’s helpers.
HUDSON, Wis. — For the last five years, Richelle and Gary Jader have been more than just your average neighbor.
They’re also Santa’s helpers.
Outside their home in Hudson, Wisconsin is a bright red mailbox that children and adults alike put letters in to be mailed to the North Pole.
“There are many little letter campaigns going around the country and we are one that was asked to help,” said Richelle. “It’s really for Santa we do this.”
The couple started taking on the task that their neighbors started, but who have since moved away. Every season they get several hundred letters, reaching the most during the height of the pandemic.
“It was just amazing in terms of the creativity and the heart,” said Gary.
The two estimate they have received well over a 1,000 letters in all. They spend hours, several nights a week, responding to each one.
“We’re just hoping to enrich people’s lives and to get that spark of Christmas spirit and maybe have it last way beyond Christmas,” said Richelle.
Some of the letters inspire laughter, others are sweet. The Jaders say they all spread cheer.
“I think we want to hear hope, that there is goodness out there, and this exemplifies goodness” said Richelle. “Kids are so pure in their words and what their wishes are that it gives me pause, it gives us pause, to say this is how we should be living.”
The Jaders also published a book this year about the mailbox and have sold about 400 copies. You can find it on the shelves at Chapter 2 Books in Hudson or online.
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Tonya Yarmakov, 23, was reported missing from Savanna State Park on Sept. 4.
NORTHFIELD, Minn. — On Friday night, a Minnesota college held a vigil for a woman reported missing more than two weeks ago.
St. Olaf College in Northfield hosted a candlelight vigil for 23-year-old Tonya Yarmakov, who was last seen on Sept. 4 while camping with her family in Savanna State Park near McGregor, Minnesota.
The Aikin County Sheriff’s Office said family members allegedly told authorities they left Yarmakov alone on a dock as they went fishing, and around noon, saw her get up and run away.
She is 5 feet tall and has dark brown hair. The sheriff said she was last seen wearing a rainbow tie-dyed t-shirt, gym shorts, black shoes and black headphones.
Yarmakov has autism and Type 1 diabetes, causing greater concern for her welfare, authorities said.
Officials said they’ve used drones, dogs and planes to search for the missing woman.
If you have information about Yarmakov’s current whereabouts, the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office urges you to contact them at 218-927-7435 or call 911.
Saturday’s event includes helpful resources for caregivers and anyone impacted by dementia.
MINNEAPOLIS — Thousands of people are pouring into downtown Minneapolis Saturday morning for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Twin Cities.
KARE 11’s Karla Hult is emceeing the walk – one of the largest walks in the country, with 7,000 to 10,000 people attending – along with Gabi Del Moral of Telemundo Minnesota.
“Those of us who know Alzheimer’s or another dementia, also know this disease can feel so overwhelming and isolating,” said Hult, whose dad finished his Alzheimer’s marathon in 2019.
“It’s why I’ve always cherished the Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” Hult said. “There’s just nothing like connecting with a stadium full of people who understand how it feels to live with this cruel disease. Together, we find incomparable empathy and support. Together, we find new strength to fight. And together, we find the joy that still exists during the journey.”
The event includes helpful resources for caregivers and anyone impacted by dementia.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, money raised from the event provides local support groups, classes and resources at no cost to Minnesota families. The Alzheimer’s Association is also a significant champion and supporter of critical dementia research, including research projects currently happening in Minnesota.
This year the goal is to raise $1.5M through the event.
More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide unpaid care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Minnesota alone, there are 101,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and 164,000 unpaid caregivers support them.
Two men died in the hospital and three others suffered injuries after gunfire rang out downtown.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police are investigating after five people were shot, two fatally, in downtown Minneapolis.
Officers were called to the area around 5th Street and Hennepin Avenue just before 2 a.m. Saturday for a report that several small groups fighting had escalated into gunfire.
Police report five people were shot. Two men, aged 20 and 21, were taken to the hospital where they later died, according to officials. Three women, two aged 16 and 17 and another woman, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said one person was taken into custody and will be booked for “Probable Cause Riot.”
A handgun was recovered from the scene, police said.
KARE 11 will update this story as more information is made available.
