Christmas Cards for Josh a huge success
We first introduced you to Josh Keller back at the first of December. All he wanted for Christmas was cards because he loves getting mail and making new friends.
So his family issued the Christmas Card Challenge. Now, fast forward to a new year and several weeks later.
The challenge was a huge success.
With the Christmas Card challenge, Josh’s family said that for every card Josh got, up to $500, they would donate $1 to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office to buy supplies and gifts to hand out to those in need.
The goal was 500 cards, $500.
The family far surpassed that. Currently, Josh has 1,311 cards and counting. Jay Keller, Josh’s dad, said they are still getting cards and letters coming in.
“It just makes us feel so happy that other people have opened up their hearts and their wallets and their loving words,” Jay Keller said. “I mean, we have cards from all over the place this year. It’s just wow – wow!”
Jay Keller said they got cards from every state but one – they haven’t yet received a card from Hawaii. But they have also gotten cards from other countries like Finland, Germany, Denmark, Austria and others .
Besides cards, Josh also got some presents. He got a signed hat from a professional hockey team in Austria, a gift card for free frosty’s at Wendy’s and lots of police badges and medallions.
Jay Keller said a large majority of sheriff’s office and police departments across the state sent Josh something. And nearly every single one in Southeast Idaho did as well. Madison County Sheriff, Chubbuck Police Department, Caribou County Sheriff, Bear Lake County Sheriff, Fremont County, Elmore County, Twin Falls, Cassia County, and dozens others.
Though they didn’t ask for it, the family also received some monetary donations to go toward the gifts and donations the family is going to buy for the sheriff’s office.
Jay Keller said the family is truly touched and shocked at the amazing response.
“Josh has become a celebrity rockstar,” Jay Keller said. “Everybody knows Josh now. It’s become bigger than anything we’ve ever dreamed of in just two years so we’re quite overwhelmed.”
With the $500 the Keller family paid out of their own pocket, plus the donations they received from those wanting to help, the family has $1,000 to put toward gifts and supplies for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
The gifts will be for the sheriff’s office to hand out to those who have been through traumatic experiences, just like Josh was as a kid. Or to go to whoever the sheriff’s office feels is in need.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office also made Josh an honorary deputy.
