Abstract:
At age ten, Reverend Charles Keyes of Hickory discovered the true meaning of Christmas. Several of his friends had received nothing for Christmas, and Charles bought them candy and chewing gum. He began delivering mini-sermons at the age of four, becoming known as The Parson in later years. These days, he plays Santa Claus to the mountain people of five states, delivering tractor-trailer loads of clothes, food, and toys in the early part of December each year. The Parson also opened Camp Joy in Hickory, a summer camp where underprivileged children come for a week and are taken on a shopping spree at the week's end.