Ways to help during the Holidays

Every year, a handful of students are nominated through their school to partake in an event that truly makes their holiday season one to remember. For over 19 years, the Great Falls Police Department has taken part in the “Shop with a Cop” Fundraising event that sees to it that kids and their families in need get the magical Christmas they so deserve. Detective Nick Taylor, who has worked at CMR for 9 years and the GFPD for 19, goes every year with two families on a festive shopping trip where each child gets to spend $100 dollars on whatever they want. “You always get a little nervous because you never know how the kids will be when you first meet them,” said Taylor, “you start walking a couple of aisles and just see the joy these kids have.” Parents of the nominated kids are contacted by officers for the opportunity. From that point, parents can either tell their kids or leave them the wondrous surprise. When the day comes, kids are greeted at the businesses, typically Target or Walmart, and made aware of what’s happening. The family then has a shopping trip to remember with an officer.

“It’s always been a positive experience, I’d say it’s just as positive for the police members involved in it”. “Shop with a Cop” is run not by the city, but the officers of the GFPD who love and care so much for their community. The program accepts donations which can be made at the Great Falls Police Department or online at www. gfppa.org. “Shop With a Cop” enters nineteenth year

Every year, schools and businesses are invaded with boxes saying “Toys for Tots.” What may be seen as just another Christmas time donation means the world to children in need all across the nation. What began as a charity effort in 1947 Los Angeles went national the very next year, spreading their reach across the United States.

The Great Falls Toys for Tots Campaign has been around for 15 years and serves the eight counties of North Central Montana. They work with 46 agencies including Opportunities Incorporated, the Salvation Army, Great Falls Public Schools, and Child Protective Services to distribute toys and make Christmas magical to those in need.

In 2018, the Great Falls Campaign collected approximately 9,800 toys and aided 5,747 families. Anyone can be a part of this amazing organization by donating to the boxes that are all over the community. You can also find them on Facebook and visit the Toys for Tots website to help. Great Falls embraces “Toys for Tots”

by Justin Freeny and David Miller, staff writers

What We’re Watching by Quinn Soltesz, audio editor and design by Nancy Beston, photo/design editor

This holiday season, sit down and enjoy this classic about a blond ninja child named after a ramen topping and who is possessed by a fox demon and battles insecurity, lack of family, and other ninjas to become ninja mayor of his ninja village (I make none of this up). You’ll need: 1) time 2) tolerance for filler episodes 3) appreciation of fight choreography. Reach the Chunin Exams and you’ll know duty and sacrifice; reach the Valley of the End and experience heartrending pain. by Gail Parambi, guest writer

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Confession: I watched this with my family over Thanksgiving break. It was, in the words of Youtube film reviewer Trin Lovell, “mediocrity at its finest!!” My family felt similarly, but that does not discount the fact that we sat through all 92 minutes of this John Green adaptation. A movie in which several teens run around a Midwestern town covered in snow, romancing and fighting, makes for the perfect viewing experience for the family this winter break. Mediocrity is FUN!

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Winning Album of the Year at the Grammys, touring the world, and climbing to the top of my Spotify is not enough for country artist Kacey Musgraves. Out on Amazon Prime Video, Musgraves uses her superior musical talent and guest stars (including Lana Del Ray, Kendall Jenner, Troye Sivan, Camila Cabello, and Leon Bridges, among others) to craft a show of lighthearted holiday cheer. If you aren’t currently a fan, watch this, and you will be. Kacey Musgraves Xmas Show

Six feature film adaptations of the 1868 novel from Louisa May Alcott is absurd, but that is the world we live in. This timeless tale (of which I have never read or watched any of) is the perfect family film. Coming out on Christmas Day with rave reviews, I will be seeing it! Not because I care about the story, but because those associated with it, from director Greta Gerwig to Gen Z Internet obsessions Timothee Chalamet and Saoirse Ronan, are my passion projects.

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I will preface this recommendation with the simple fact that The Mandalorian, the flagship Star Wars television show for Disney+, is a case of the “too-slow burn.” It is, simply put, boring and not what I, a loyal Star Wars consumer, want. However, I continue to watch for the visionary portrayal that has stormed the Internet: Baby Yoda. Hunt through the episodes for ONLY the Baby Yoda scenes, and you will be rewarded.

After viewing a channel on YouTube titled “De mi Rancho a Tu Cocina” in Spanish class, I can wholeheartedly recommend the world of homemade cooking shows. “De mi Rancho” is created by a woman in Mexico; in her videos, she makes simple, traditional meals. For a different vibe, check out the Chinese YouTuber Liziqi. With easy to follow steps, these videos are the only way to make cooking with your family fun.

Adam Sandler movies are NOT my vibe, but I am extremely excited to see this film. Sandler stars as a New York Diamond District dealer who comes into possession of said “uncut gem.” Balancing marital strife with the increasing tripulations that befall him, this thriller comes out on Christmas Day. The film’s other actors include NBA player Kevin Garnett, “Frozen” star Idina Menzel, and Lakeith Stanfield. I don’t know about you, but “Uncut Gems” is how I’ll be ringing in the 2020 New Year.

A soft poll of the Stampede staff left us divided: Was “You” Season 1 good, or just shocking? I take the side that this bizarre stalker series was entertaining, dare I say, engrossing. The follow-up season is being released the day after Christmas on Netflix, and will surely dominate online discussion in the last few days of the year. Lock your doors, close the windows, and hope that the events of the show don’t happen to you.