Weiser's Ho-Ho Express is on schedule with a few modifications

 Joe Malay’s annual Ho-Ho Express is scheduled to continue this year with modifications made to accommodate safety during the pandemic. 

 For the Weiser schools, the children chosen to join the Ho-Ho Express have been notified and asked to compile a wish-list. High school students and community volunteers will then be asked to shop from Walmart within a ten-day span using the wish lists, with approximately five lists per volunteer. The gifts will then be distributed on Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Weiser High School.

 Between Weiser schools and the Annex Charter School, approximately 400 children are chosen to participate each year, said Santa’s helper Joe Malay. Children are selected based on different need and are chosen by the faculty of the schools. 

 Around 140 children were selected from Pioneer Elementary, 110 children from Park Primary, 40 children from Weiser Middle School, 40 children from the Weiser High School and 80 children from Annex Charter School.

 “I’m impressed with what we’re getting to do with the limitations we have,” said Malay. “We want everyone to have a safe, merry Christmas but we do want them to have a surprise under the tree.” 

 The donations to the Ho-Ho Express are invaluable, said Malay. All donations, large and small, are accepted and appreciated. 

 Steve’s Hometown Dealerships donate annually, with their 2020 donation at $10,000. Malay said he and Santa wish to thank all that donate on behalf of all involved and remind the people of Weiser that funds donated are being used locally for the children in the area.

 “It’s a good time of year to do this,” said Malay. “It’s only doable because of the donations I get coming in.”

 Children selected from the Annex Charter School will be escorted to the Weiser Bi-Mart on Dec. 17. The children will be brought in two waves at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to accommodate social distancing measures and preserve safety. Select Properties staff has volunteered their time and donation to help in the endeavor and join children as they shop their wish lists.

 “It takes a village,” said Malay. “And in their village of Weiser, there’s a lot of people that care and…want to give back.”

 Anyone wishing to donate to the Ho-Ho Express there is a special account set up called the Santa Fund at Zions Bank in Weiser.