By Crystal Hayduk
I once played the Grinch in a musical.
Chelsea Area Players Youth Theater needed an adult to fit the borrowed costume for a cameo appearance. I won the part when my family said I was right for the role—little to no acting required.
December holidays have nearly always been a time of multiplied stresses that overwhelm me. Sometimes we faced profound crises and had to let go of the conventional trappings of Christmas. But even in a year without unusual challenges, I added too many events to my calendar and assumed the impossible responsibility of making dreams of the perfect Christmas come true.
The result? A downward spiral into a grumpy Grinch.
After my family’s lighthearted nudge into the costume, I decided it was time to love and nurture my inner Grinch. I began to make more conscious decisions about how to use my time and resources. But unlike the Grinch, whose heart grew three sizes in one day, growing my holiday heart has been a long-term process.
This year, I decided to take advantage of the Chelsea Robotics (CR) Team’s Wrap-A-Palooza. While I ran errands for an hour, the students wrapped my gifts for eight family members (and a friend’s three cats). They used post-it notes to label the gifts, so all I did when I got home was add gift tags.
Many of the gifts look great. A few are adequate. But that’s okay, because I’ve learned that perfection is the enemy of good enough. It’s done, and I’m thrilled with the results.
You can still get this task checked off your list. Wrap-A-Palooza runs each Saturday this month, through Dec. 23. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., take your gifts to the Chelsea Robotics Center at 500 Washington St. where you’ll complete a short form to inventory your items. You can either head out to run errands or finish an item on your to-do list; or you can stay to peruse the state-of-the-art center, relax, and sip hot cocoa.
The team’s gift-wrapping service is free, but they gratefully accept any monetary donations to support their activities.
Chelsea School District’s faculty advisor, Anne Findlay, said CR receives space, building upkeep, and maintenance from the district. The state also provides some funding annually. Most of the money the team needs, however, comes from sponsors and community members. The team’s goal is to raise $75,000 over the next 5 years.
Jay Zatkovich, one of the team’s mentors, said Wrap-A-Palooza serves both to provide a community service and to welcome the growing number of team alumni, friends, and family to participate together in an annual festive event.
CR team members build robots, but more importantly, the group builds better people. “I have seen firsthand how robotics can inspire the kids, and they learn that the world is what you make of it,” said Zatkovich. “They come in on Day One not quite sure what to expect—of the program or themselves—and they leave believing in themselves and [their] ability to take initiative and understand that the world is what you make of it.”
Know Before You Go:
Wrap-A-Palooza, Chelsea Robotics Center, 500 Washington St.
There are two more dates to get your gift wrapping done: Dec. 16 and 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The public is invited to a concert by Wicked Cricket, the grand finale after gift wrapping, from 2-4 pm. on Dec. 23.
Gift wrapping and concert are free; donations accepted to support Chelsea Robotics.
Online Auction: CR has added an online auction this year, with more than $1,400 worth of items donated by local businesses. Finish your holiday shopping from the comfort of your own home. Access the auction until Dec. 23 here.
About Chelsea Robotics: In its 15th year, the CR team is made up of 120 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. More than 50 volunteer mentors support these young engineers.
Visit the Chelsea Robotics website for more information, or to donate to the team directly. FRC 1502 Technical Difficulties, the high school team, also has a Facebook page.
An additional opportunity this weekend: While I was writing this column, I learned that the Chelsea High School bowling team will also be wrapping gifts. Information about their Dec. 17 event is here.
