Saturday, May 18, 2013

Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Tri-State area

Santa helps others, now needs help himself
Posted: 03.15.2011 at 9:51 AM
Updated: 03.15.2011 at 2:00 PM
Melissa Shriver

Melissa Shriver is a News Anchor and Reporter for KHQA.

1
Tri-States Santa  / KHQA file photo
Photo

BROWNING, ILL. -- Tri-State Santa, Jack Bailey collects and delivers hundreds of gifts to children all over the area every year.  Now this normally jolly St. Nick needs help himself.

He says he delivered toys to more than 3,500 children last year.  But the process to deliver smiles to children drained him financially.  Now he's in danger of losing his home.

You'll recall we've told you about Jack Bailey who builds, collects and refurbishes toys to put Christmas under the tree for thousands of area children.

It's Jack Bailey's dream to get toys into the hands of needy children. Now its seems his dream is crumbling like cookies left out on Christmas eve.

Things were going well for Santa's workshop, until last summer. That's when water flooded his workshop in Beardstown and destroyed it along with all his toys. He had no elves to help him when he started collecting toys from scratch all over again in his garage.

Times are tough and the need for toys was bigger than ever before last year. That's when he dug into his social security check and sold some possessions to pay for extra toys and fuel to get them under the tree for needy kids.But now it seems that good deed has caught up with him.

Now he's on the verge of financial disaster.

Bailey continues to try to make ends meet selling some of his creations like this garden cart and wishing wells. But even facing the poor house, all he can think about is what happens to the children on Christmas morning.

In the three years Bailey has been playing Santa, he's delivered toys to more than 5,300 children.

Bailey tells KHQA's Melissa Shriver that "his world is falling apart". If you can help in any way, call him at 217-491-6931.

You can also contact him through mail RR1 Box 186, Browning, IL 62624

Related Links

Popular Stories
Thumbnail
Body of missing Rushville man found
Jeff Mondlock  |  Yesterday at 3:33 PM  |  1 comment
Thumbnail
Terrorism conspiracy charge for Fort Madison man
KHQA Newsdesk  |  Friday, May 17, 2013  |  9 comments
Thumbnail
Three Quincy residents arrested after Thursday night drug raid
KHQA Newsdesk  |  Yesterday at 4:34 PM
Follow Connect Tri-States
Get news and weather notifications on your phone by downloading the iPhone or Android app below
Sign up to get alerts and updates for breaking news, severe weather, and deals:
submit
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Features
Expert Connect Legal
Legal info from our experts
Senior Living
Info on senior living from our experts
Beauty & Wellness
Beauty and wellness info from our experts
Expert Connect Auto
Automotive info from our experts
ADVERTISEMENT