RAPID CITY, South Dakota – “Let me start with a short story. I am the Grinch. Or I was.

That is, I have had the pleasure of playing that reformed Whoville Christmas thief for the benefit of others. The others being: the children of the Cheyenne River Youth Project (CRYP), in the midst of Christmas celebrations.

I somehow found myself volunteering to the play the Grinch during our annual Christmas party eight or nine years ago. It was humbling.

The costume, including a full plastic head mask, was hot, hilarious and difficult to see out of. The kids of all sizes got to choose the Grinch or Santa to tell their Christmas wishes to and I was quite surprised how popular the Grinch was. I began to feel more dignified playing Santa’s less popular sidekick.

Then at some point during the festivities, Santa (played by Mike Kennedy, another local volunteer) decided that all the children present should be told to teach the Grinch a lesson for trying to steal Christmas. This Grinch, my Grinch. You know this is not going to be pretty.

Picture a six foot, one-inch Grinch, with a full set of red pajamas, boots and an oversized Grinch head running for his life out of the building, down Main Street, around the block, with a pack of high-minded children, prepared for vengeance. We were not in Whoville anymore. Needless to say, I put some distance between my Grinch self and the kids. I then pitched the mask and pajamas and cowered back in the kitchen for most of the evening while the rest of the presents were handed out and we all ate. I still have nightmares.”

Left: Julie Garreau, Cheyenne River Youth Project Executive Director

(Read more in the Summer 2008 issue…)