December 6, 2019 Issue, Page 14 of 14

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Page 14 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Friday, December 6, 2019 Pioneer Helpi g ids Connect to Santa During Deca Jradition Wir (c} Pioneer will be transferring calls to Santa on Tuesday, Dec. 10 for all young callers in Oklahoma. Santa is always eager to talk with young callers but can only accept calls for a short period of time. Partnering with Pioneer, Santa will be taking calls from 5:30-7:30 p.m. (Cen- tral Standard Time) through a_ direct line—free of charge—for any Oklahoma kid eager to call and speak to Santa. “The Santa Call-in is one of my fave parts of the Christmas season,” Santa / said. “I love hearing fromevery little b¢ girl that I can. I just wish I had time from them all!” In 2018, Pioneer tray more than 2,000 calls to Santa dur two-hour event. Numerous empl¢ Pioneer volunteer their time to ensure many callers as possible get an oppo talk to Santa. However, due to restrained time, only children 1 Oklahoma will be able to call and sp For any young caller wanting to Santa and his helpers, they can ca, toll-free at —-1-866-92 SANTA 1-866-927-2682. Santa will be eager to talk with young call on Tuesday, December 10 (one night orf from 5:30 -7:30 p.m. (Cen ! ioneer Donates A Pioneer Over 1,000 Pounds Christmas Story | of Food “Twas the night before Christmas Employees of Pioneer Telephone and all through Pioneer and Pioneer Cellular recently collected not an employee was stirring, not and donated more than 1,182 pounds of even one engineer. food to the Weatherford Food & The iPhones were off and stored Resource Center, an affiliate of the with care, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. “Ithas become a tradition for our The care reps were nestled all employees to come together and support snug in their beds, fellow Oklahomans during the time of year while visions of new tech that food donations are needed more than danced in their heads. ever,” said Dean Carter, Marketing Manager. “Pioneer has always ® remained communty- & minded and our employees are & committed to helping others, } in times ofneed.” Each year, employees are ¥ encouraged to bring two or more food items to B Pioneer's all-employee The cell tech had ° Bh meeting, held at the wandered on back to his truck, B) company’s head- quarters in King- to ensure the cell site is up. When out in the field arose such a clatter, Since starting he sprang from the seat to see what was the the tradition in matter. To the back of the truck he flew like a flash, and squinted as gravel and tires gnashed. smile so x Through the fog of his breath and the moon bright, X off the snow, as he stared at the cell tech saw what was truly a marvelous the tower with a show. tad bit of might. q A large red truck crunching through snow, “Home we should go,” and a jolly man he said, who happened to have a spare coat. nose as red as a cherry, He handed it over and offered a smile. “to rest with our families and “You checked breakers and channels; hopefully wake up real merry.” All ofthe circuits and wires. Two The cell-tech laughed as he The equipment’s replaced and the antenna is straightened his glasses. windows working.” Then shook his hand and thanked rolled down ang P source He breathed out a sigh, a whistle of might, as hands waved, center. him for the jacket. a cold winter breeze dusted snow through the Off they both went and into their And cell tech, well, he we This food night. “It looks real good and our cell service trucks they climbed, To try and just couldn’t help but say: — helps numerous is up.” His eyes, how they twinkled. “Merry Christmas to you! Drive hom families in western Oklahoma get get home before the sun shined. access to food. safe!”