Zac Bartz was one of a kind - he has touched all of us in ways he never knew

It is with a very heavy heart that I am once again writing about a loss of a loved one in our community. Zac Bartz has gone to be with God. If the name sounds familiar, it should. Zac has been the apple of the Chisago Lakes eye for years. A boy who was blessed and cursed with a disease that you can barely pronounce. Why would I say he was blessed? Because it gave us a chance to meet Zac. It gave the community a chance to reach out and embrace a wonderful little boy. Would we ever have known just how special a human being Zac was if he was just another normal kid? Yes, he may still have been an amazing child, but how many of us would have ever got to meet him or spend time with him?

Zac was an unbelievable boy. He (God bless him) was so strong throughout his fight. To the outsider, other than his hair, you would never know he was fighting the fight of all fights inside. But there he stood with a smile on his face, always keeping up a bright outlook on life. The community has rallied behind Zac over the years. There have been multiple benefits even one as recent as a month ago. Obviously, there are many people battling illnesses out there, but there is something that pulls on your heartstrings when it is a child. The community has gone out its their way to make Zac feel loved and it has been nothing short of awesome. I would thank you for touching Zac's life, but really, it's we who should be thanking Zac. He has touched us in a way we have never known possible. Thanks Zac, you will be missed by all.

Sunday morning my son and I drove a car full of clothing donations to a Minneapolis homeless shelter. I normally take them to Pine City because it serves Chisago and Pine Counties, but the last load I took up there, they told me their shelves were full and to come back in early Spring. Either way, sleep well tonight knowing you helped quite a few families in their time of need. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your donations.

Sunday marked a very important day in our family. My grandmother Evelyn Silver turned 96 years old. If you have ever read my column, you know what an overpowering love I have for this woman. She has outlived her husband, her two children and probably will outlive me. Yet even at 96, she still finds time to be my (and my brothers) surrogate mother. She has turned into my sounding board, my mentor, my inspiration, my everything. I thank God everyday that she is a part of our lives. I honestly do not know how I would have gotten this far in life if it weren’t for her. Happy Birthday Gram, I (we) love you.

Anonymous Santa is taking applications for families who can't afford to purchase toys and gifts for their children during the holiday season. Anonymous Santa serves families in Chisago County as well as Washington County. Gifts are available for children birth to 18 of whom you are the parent or legal guardian. Applications are available at libraries, food shelves, and chambers of commerce. All applications are due by November 30 and must be mailed to Anonymous Santa, PO Box 901, North Branch, MN 55056 or faxed to 651-344-0516. Distribution is set for December 13 and 14, at United Methodist Church, 6500 Main Street, North Branch. Donations to the program are welcome. Volunteers are also needed for the Anonymous Santa program. Consider lending just a few hours of your time this holiday season to help your neighbors. For information on the program or to volunteer, email [email protected] or call 612-325-5414.