Ron's Christmas Story
Let me take you back to 2007—a year etched in memory for so many. The air was heavy with uncertainty, as families across the country faced the heartbreak of losing their homes. The financial crisis loomed over us all, casting a shadow on what should have been a season of hope. It was in the midst of this turmoil that my husband, Ron Locke, did something extraordinary—something that would forever change how I saw Christmas.
On Christmas morning, 2007, my family and I huddled close around the twinkling lights of our tree, laughter and anticipation filling the room. My husband, Ron, had a sparkle in his eye as he insisted that my gift would be the very last to be opened—a gesture that only heightened my curiosity and excitement.
When Ron finally handed me his gift, I found a small box nestled in my hands—a box that held a simple CD. He had poured his heart into recording something for me, so we smiled and scrambled to find a laptop, eager to share the moment together. Ron was no professional videographer, and the CD itself was humble, but I could already sense that it contained something deeply personal.
It started with him going to several businesses in our town, and a bank where he asked the store owner and/or bank manager this question, “I’m looking for the ultimate Christmas present for my wife. Do you have it?”
Everyone answered him in a similar way, “No, but you might want to check with Hannafords.”
My grown children and grandchildren exchanged puzzled glances, curiosity pulling us deeper into the story—even as the screen abruptly went black and all we could hear was the soft hum of a car engine. (Ron, ever the amateur, had left the lens cap on, but even in darkness, the anticipation grew.)
Eventually, we see Hannafords as my husband enters and approaches the customer service desk, saying, “I’m looking for the ultimate Christmas gift for my wife, and everyone is telling me to come here.”
The customer service lady replied, “Oh, sure, let me get the manager for you.”
A few minutes later (remember he’s still filming), the manager shows up, and my husband asks him if he has the ultimate Christmas gift for me.
The manager, Carl Provencha, answers, “Oh sure, follow me.”
Still filming, my husband follows Carl through the aisles and into the back of the store, where, of course, there are pallets of food and a big truck at the receiving dock.
Carl turns to the camera and says, “Mary Ann, this is Melanie from the food bank,” gesturing to a lady standing near the truck, “and she’s going to tell you what your ultimate Christmas gift is.”
Melanie looks into the camera and says, “Mary Ann, all this food being loaded onto this truck, from the NH Food Bank, has been donated in your name by your generous husband. There are 7 tons of food here that will be brought to the Food Bank and distributed to those in need.”
At that moment, the living room dissolved into tears. Every single one of us was moved beyond words, eyes glistening with emotion—except for Ron, who sat quietly, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
From that point on, my husband served as an ambassador for the Food Bank. He could recite all the statistics of food insecurity in New Hampshire. It was a cause he was passionate about. However, over time, his health began to fail him, and he passed away in 2020. This story does not end here.
Remember 2020 – COVID-19 is everywhere, and no vaccines have been developed yet. Ron passed in October, and I got a call from Hannaford’s in November. They were calling to share their condolences and let me know that Hannaford’s will make a $10,000 donation to the NH Food Bank in his honor. Due to COVID-19, the check-handoff to the Food Bank would need to take place in Hannaford’s parking lot. I called my stepsons and other friends who had helped me with Ron’s care, and we met in the parking lot for the ceremony.
The cold bit at my skin, and my breath fogged up my glasses behind my mask, but even as I shivered, my heart warmed with gratitude and pride. I knew that being there was something I would cherish forever.
This is the man that I wish to honor by trying to ensure that no one in NH goes hungry.
You can help by making a donation to Feed-A-Family or Gift-A-Meal.