Company makes holidays happen
Schuff Steel plays Santa Claus on Navajo reservation

Kelly Gilmore, the daughter of the late Jack Lancaster who began the Indian Christmas Drive 22 years ago, helps to distribute toys to youth in Ganado. [Photo by Karen Francis/Independent]

By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

On Saturday, the Schuff Steel family from Phoenix presented a sofa and coffee table to Virginia White, whose house and all her possessions burned down while she was away. Seated are Forrest Paysnoe and White. Paysnoe has spearheaded the Indian Christmas Drive for the past 18 years. [Photo by Karen Francis/Independent]

GANADO — Its motto is “We make things happen.” And for the past 22 years, that’s exactly what the Schuff Steel Co. has done every holiday season for Navajo people.

On Saturday, employees and family members made the trip from Phoenix to Ganado to deliver Christmas cheer with donated food, household items, clothes and toys — courtesy of company employees and vendors.

Included with the delivery was a sofa and coffee table for Virginia White from Window Rock, whom had lost her home in a fire on Nov. 8.

“I lost everything,” she said.

White said she had to start all over again and she sought assistance to help her through the difficult time. When she didn’t receive any, she resorted to putting up a sign by the road requesting help.

“Apparently, these guys saw the sign and they came over and they talked to me. They wanted to help me,” she said.

White is grateful for the help that was extended to her by the company and by the retired employees who help.

“I thank everybody and I wish them a merry Christmas with all their loved ones,” she said after she was presented with the sofa and other supplies.

Schuff Steel’s annual Christmas drive began more than two decades ago when the superintendent of the company Jack Lancaster took a special interest in the Navajo ironworkers who were employed at the company.

“A lot of Navajo boys used to work with them. The superintendent got fond of them so he started this Christmas drive for the families out here.” Emerson Curley said. Curley, who is from Steamboat, was employed with the company for more than 20 years and hosted the event this year.

When Lancaster passed away, Forrest Paysnoe took over. Paysnoe, who is vice president of operations, has been leading the effort for 18 years now.

The first time the company attempted the Christmas drive, Lancaster and Ben Smith, one of the Navajo employees, brought one truckload of donated items. The effort has grown so much through the years that this year, the company brought two tractor-trailer trucks. The trucks hauled boxes of donated items and 6,000 pounds of produce.

Kelly Gilmore, Jack Lancaster’s, daughter, traveled to the Navajo reservation with her father the first time the Indian Christmas Drive was held. She was there with her husband and their family on Saturday.

“We’re having a good time,” she said adding that she couldn’t remember a time when the annual celebration was not held.

“He loved it,” Gilmore said about her father’s work to bring holiday cheer to the Navajo people.

Paysnoe said that Lancaster had traveled to the reservation with some Navajo employees and helped to build hogans and horse corrals. It was at that time he saw the tremendous need among the Navajo people and decided to help.

When Paysnoe came to the reservation, he also saw the need for the program and he has continued to organize it since Lancaster passed away.

“It helps us to get into the Christmas spirit,” he said.

Each year, Smith, who worked for Schuff Steel for 21 years, helps the company to bring its generosity to the Navajo people.

“I feel for my people. I really love them,” he said explaining why he helps to bring the Indian Christmas Drive each year.

Paysnoe said the purpose is to share with the Navajo people and for them to share with others in need.

He added that the most gratifying experience he had was one year, after the employees had distributed to local families, they went out to take some groceries to some people who couldn’t make it. When they reached one family, they found that someone who had received groceries had all ready stopped by to share the groceries.

“It absolutely warms your heart to help people that are so grateful,” Joyce Livingston, an employee of Schuff Steel who has been participating for the past four years, said.

“The people are always gracious,” Paysnoe said.

Ganado farm board member Steven Kee was one of the chapter officials who was grateful for the company for bringing out some supplies and toys.

“It’s beautiful,” Kee said.

He expressed appreciation for the employees for taking the time to come out to Navajo land.

“I appreciate everybody else’s help — bagging, helping anywhere they can,” he added.

Berth Lope was there with her kids. She had heard about it through friends and the school.

“I think it’s good because a lot of families can’t afford to get their kids presents,” she said.

Curley said, “A lot of families are unfortunate to not have the income they need.”

He added, “You can’t get everybody. We don’t have enough for that. At least this is sharing for the whole community.”

Local volunteers helped to bag the produce, including potatoes, yams, carrots, onions and beans, to distribute to families.

Drawings for new bikes and a new washer and dryer were also held.