‘Best Christmas:’ Family granted wish of gifts, new car

Four-year-old Amy Kautzman makes quick work of crawling into the backseat of the new family car.

Not even five minutes earlier, the little girl and her family were greeted outside their Saskatoon apartment by a small crowd holding gifts, groceries and keys to a new set of wheels.

Among them was Kelsea Meredith, Amy’s pre-kindergarten teacher.

“It was unbelievable, I don’t think words can describe the reaction,” she  said.

Meredith and fellow teacher Tennille Boutilier nominated Amy’s family – which includes her five-year-old brother Noah and parents Jessica Lane and Karl Kautzman – for the Precision Autobody Christmas Wish.

“We went through hundreds and hundreds of nominations, all families in need. It’s hard to pick just one, but we picked a very special family this year for Christmas Wish,” said Jenn Giocoli with Precision Autobody.

With help from radio stations C95 and Rock 102, along with numerous sponsors, the special contest sees one deserving family enjoy a Christmas they wouldn’t otherwise have. This year, more than 500 nominations came through.

“It isn’t about the presents, that’s what this season shows and that’s what the community brought for this family – it’s amazing,” Boutilier said.

Mom Jessica Lane, left, hugs Rock 102 host Whitney after her family received gifts, groceries and a new car as part of the 2017 Precision Autobody Christmas Wish on Dec. 18, 2017. (Daniella Ponticelli/650 CKOM)

The teachers decided to share the family’s story after learning Karl was frequently in and out of hospital for health issues related to an auto-immune disorder.

“I’ve always had a little bit of health issues and the past few years it’s just gotten worse and worse,” Kautzman said, adding hospital visits were difficult without a car.

“It’s going to be so much easier not having to take the bus all over … we can have a nice warm car. We can get more than just a few bags of groceries at a time.”

Mom Jessica Lane spoke with radio hosts through tears, saying the last few years of working two jobs have been challenging.

“I’m overwhelmed with all this stuff. I’m very grateful,” she said.

The Christmas surprise happened to fall between the children’s birthdays on Dec. 17 and Dec. 21. For Kautzman, it was a stark contrast to last year, when he spent all the important dates in hospital.

“These past few years have been tough. This is going to be the best Christmas they’ve ever had – the best Christmas I’ve ever had,” Kautzman said.