Santa, Annex Ho-Ho Express roll into Weiser

Published by admin on Tue, 12/26/2023 - 4:53pm

The Annex Ho-Ho Express was escorted into Weiser by the Weiser City Police and the Weiser Fire District, with Santa leading the way, Tuesday, Dec. 19. Over 80 kids were given $50 to spend any way they wanted at the Bi-Mart store. The event would not happen without a donation made every year by Select Properties, a real estate firm in Weiser. Agents donate a percentage of their sales commissions throughout the year to the company’s Ho-Ho Express fund. The final tally always depends on housing market performance, making some years leaner than others. The agents, however, have resolved to donate their personal funds in order to reach the $4,150 goal if needed. See the full story on page 12. Photo by Philip A. Janquart

For 10 years, Select Properties in Weiser has helped fund the Annex Ho-Ho Express, which takes Annex School kids to Bi-Mart in Weiser where they are given $50 to spend on anything they want. The real estate company’s agents donate money from their sales. They include, from left, Colton Chandler, Bailey Chandler, Kristian Claudio and son Grey, Julie Chandler, Ernie Chandler, owner Rod Panike, Santa, and Michelle Panike. Photo by Philip A. Janquart
By: 
Philip A. Janquart
 It’s something they look forward to all year long.
 Every December, the entire Annex School student body is loaded onto buses that are escorted by Weiser City Police and the Weiser Fire District – with lights flashing – to the Bi-Mart in Weiser.
 It’s the Annex Ho-Ho Express and the kids aboard the buses are charged with excited enthusiasm as they weave their way through Weiser.
 Santa himself arrived in Annex on Tuesday, Dec. 19 to lead the procession that ended at the Bi-Mart retail store. Each kid was given $50 to spend any way they wanted. School staff and parents served as chaperones on what was a very special day.
 “We’ve been doing this for nine years, so this is our 10th year,” said Select Properties, LLC owner Rod Panike.
 Select Properties is a real estate and property management firm in Weiser.
 Agents Julie Chandler, Earl Henderson, Bailey Chandler, Kristian Claudio, Gilbert Ball, and Rod himself all work together to raise the $4,150 needed to make the event a reality. 
 Each donates a portion of their commission through the purchase or sale of properties throughout the year to the Annex Ho-Ho Express fund.
 Rod attended the school in the 1950s and said he has fond memories of his time there.
 “They are not included as a whole in the Ho-Ho Express that goes to Ontario,” he said, referencing the Weiser Ho-Ho Express, which involves 250 kids who spend their $50 at Walmart. “One day, Santa flew into town on his reindeer from the North Pole and said, ‘Hey, let’s take on Annex.’”
 The Annex kids now have their own Express and the folks at Select Properties have the satisfaction of helping to spread some Christmas joy.
 “Select Properties is blessed to have such kind and giving agents,” Michelle said. “We all love this community and are very happy to have Annex as part of it. We are also grateful that we have the Weiser Police and Fire Department to help with transporting the buses to Bi-Mart.”

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Signal American

18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

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