Little by little, inch by inch, the world is kinda, sorta returning to normal.

I have no plans to use this column as a platform to preach, and what you choose to do is absolutely your business, but one of the reasons for normalcy making a comeback is how Americans have risen to face the many challenges with which the pandemic has presented us.

According to www.usafact.org, 262,908,216 people—79 percent of the population—have received at least one dose of a vaccine to protect against the COVID-19 virus. Overall, 224,113,439 people—68 percent of the population—are considered fully vaccinated. Additionally, 108,806,974 people—33 percent of the population—have received a booster dose.

If those statistics are not reason to celebrate, I’ll be a “monkey’s uncle,” whatever that means.

With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas just a few short weeks away, I’m reminded that there is a slew of holidays being celebrated around the world, and it’s not just Americans praying for an end to the global crisis that has held us in its grip for close to three years.

Of course, Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are familiar to most, but there are lesser-known holidays occurring in December as well. A quick look at the Google revealed dozens I’ve never heard of, reinforcing the notion that it’s not just about us.

I discovered something called Saint Barbara’s Day (December 4) which I’m sure has nothing to do with my mother, who was a lot of things—but a saint ain’t one of ‘em.

Then there’s Bodhi day (December 8), a Buddhist celebration I have to look into further, along with Saint Lucy’s Day (December 13) and an intriguing, hitherto unknown-to-me holiday called “Anastasia of Sirmium” (December 13) that sounds made up, but isn’t. I understand there’s a seemingly endless list of saints out there (including Sylvester and Teresa) but that sounds like fodder for another column, another time.

Not unlike my mom, local good guy Josh Murphy is likely no saint, but also has a heart of gold. Now that the health crisis is ebbing, Josh has revived his holiday celebration that helps give hundreds of kids in Sullivan County a holiday to remember in the form of Murph’s Toy Drive. It’s slated to be held on Saturday, December 3 at the Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center, in beautiful Callicoon, NY.

I gave Josh a jingle to get some of the details, and was reminded that this is the eighth annual toy drive; the event has been “on pause” since 2019, thanks to you-know-what.

“We’re back and better than ever!” Murph enthused, and as he ran down the schedule for me, I made my reservation and paid for my seat over the phone. “The evening will be once again hosted by our friend [Thunder 102 radio personality] Paul Ciliberto and your unwrapped toy donation enters you in a phenomenal raffle (one ticket for each gift) packed with great prizes donated by local businesses.”  

Tickets are fifty bucks (and that unwrapped gift) to get in, but we’ll get a lot of bang for our buck. Josh told me that there will be an open bar (bring a designated driver!) for two hours, a buffet-style dinner (the food at the Villa is always great) and entertainment all night long provided by a fantastic (IMHO) local band, Far Beyond Gone, with the ever-popular Perry Gipps and his Party Master crew keeping the dance floor moving all night long.

“This year all of the toys donated will be going to local families in need through Sullivan County United Way.” Josh shared, “and we have also partnered up with—and are the official event for—Toys for Tots Hudson Valley. Toys for Tots is a program through the United States Marine Corps and is celebrating its 75th anniversary!”

Murph will be joined by Ciliberto and co-hosts Les Kristt, Julian Dawson and Cathleen Myrick this year as the mountain of toys grows throughout the evening. He was quick to remind me that hats, gloves, scarves and assorted winter accessories are on many wish lists as well.

The best way to make a reservation is by visiting Murph’s Toy Drive on Facebook. Get more info or simply pay an extra five bucks by visiting this insanely long link: https://account.venmo.com/u/UnitedWay-OfSullivanCounty?fbclid=IwAR11oQaJMCoH4s7Uwx9r210jh8hP3fjZ-wYorMAYrDWoUwecU2aTdDlQHVs.

But if that sounds tiresome, just give him a call at 917/574-1518 and he will walk you through the process. He’ll even make arrangements to meet you, should you wish to hand him old-fashioned cash. He may not be a saint, but that ain’t bad.

 Not-so-Fun-Fact: Teenage girls are among the most underserved group of kids during a holiday drive like this, when toys are on everyone’s minds. I’m planning to ask a few for helpful hints regarding what young ladies might like to see under the tree, and shop accordingly. Dharma the Wonder Dog and I will see you there. It’s our wish to help make this month the most wonderful time of the year.