EDITORIAL: Press CFA to friend Jim: We miss you

Every year, thousands of people donate to Press Christmas for All.

Each gift is deeply appreciated, and each will be important if this year’s $225,000 goal is to be met.

But one holiday-hearted hero will not show up this Christmas Eve with a generous check on behalf of himself, his beautiful wife Missy and their legion of dedicated workers. Jim Hightower, who with Missy owned the local Domino’s Pizza restaurants, passed away March 20 this year. He was just 71.

For CFA volunteers at The Press, it’s a special joy to see some of the same dedicated donors step up every holiday season. The most famous, perhaps, ironically has no name as far as Press readers know; he goes by Anonymous in Athol. But in our hearts, Jim Hightower holds a special place, not so much for the size of his donations, but for the way in which they’ve been delivered — like good hot pizzas, right on time.

Early in the campaign, which kicks off the day after Thanksgiving, Jim would contact CFA to let them know he and his team were going to pitch in. And they always did, with employees donating some of their hard-earned money and Jim and Missy matching those funds.

Most years, it came right down to the wire. Jim would call and see how late The Press would be open on Christmas Eve so the pizza people could use every possible minute to gather as much money as possible. And most years, there they were, just before closing time, with a check in their hands and a big smile on their faces.

At this most joyous time of year, we confess to feeling heartsick that Jim will not call again. But we also are absolutely positive that were he here now, he would implore you, all of you, to discover the joy he, Missy and Domino’s employees experienced every Christmas.

Giving blesses the giver more than the recipients, especially when the gift helps people improve their lives rather than provide just one shining moment.

This holiday season, please share your blessings. Tell ‘em Jim sent you.