The unknown laborers behind the magic of the Ogden Christmas Village.

By Marcy Taylor-Rizzi
This article was originally published by Ogden Source, and at marcytaylorrizzi.wordpress.com on March 1, 2016. The Ogden Christmas Village celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

For Quinton Vanchiere, Dewane Scott, and Justin “J.J” Anderson the morning starts early, with a correctional officer calling them through speakers located on the walls of their cells. Each community service worker shuffles down to the intake area of the Weber County Kiesel facility where they are given thermal underclothing, a bright orange sweatshirt, jeans, and a denim jacket with “WCCF Inmate” stenciled on their backs. The men are waiting for Terry, an employee with Ogden City, who will supervise their work throughout the day.

The men walk into the crisp November morning and walk towards the Ogden Municipal park. They are tasked with helping to set up The Ogden Christmas Village. Terry informs the men that the project for the day will be setting up a lighted sleigh and numerous elves. Each worker begins taking materials from the back of an Ogden City truck and walking across the park. None of them speak to one another, rather they seem content in working in silence. The men must feel the weight of the looming deadline to have the park ready by November 28th.

The Ogden Christmas Village is celebrating its 54th anniversary and for at least a decade Community Service workers from the Weber County Correctional Facility have been assisting with the work that goes into making the Christmas Village so remarkable. Perry Huffaker, Manager of the Ogden City Parks, is thankful for the help the Community Service workers provide, stating that it takes at least six full time Ogden City employees and five Community Service workers to get the Village ready for the public. Work on the Christmas Village begins the first week of October and the inmate workers are involved in every step of the process, from testing lights, to hanging them on the bushes, to setting up all the small houses that make the village.

Ogden City residents reap the benefits from the Community Service workers all year round and as Perry states, “there is no impact to the [Ogden City] budget” by utilizing the work crews. Perry believes it is a win win situation because the men participating in the Community Service work are gaining, “job skills and building a resume.”

Quinton, Dewane, and J.J. have worked hard to be allowed the privilege to be released into the community. According the Sergeant Driggs, the deputy in charge of Work Release and Community Service programs, when a person is arrested and taken to the Weber County Correctional Facility they are all vetted with strict criteria through a classification system and those that pose a nominal risk to the community are eligible to be placed Community Service details. He stressed that sex offenders and those that have committed violent crimes were not allowed to participate in Community Service work. Quinton, Dewane and J.J. have proven they do not pose a risk to the public and each of them are willing and ready to work.

At noon the men head back to the “shop,” a small building behind the Ogden Amphitheater. The jail provides their lunch, a clear bag with a small sandwich, an orange, and two cookies.  As the men begin the process of unwrapping their lunch I ask each of the them what they like most about working on the Christmas Village. Without fail they each spoke about how much joy this will bring to the kids of Ogden and surrounding areas. Dewane, especially, images each child’s face when they enter the park and is certain they will love the magic the park creates.  He goes on to say, “You know, it gives them something to believe in.” Even though Dewane does not participate in Christmas due to his religious beliefs, he finds happiness in bringing the park alive for others. Most of these men will still be incarcerated during the holidays and will not be able to stroll through the park with their own families, though their families have promised to come to the park and think of them and the work the have done to make Ogden beautiful.

Ernie Terrazas, the Structural Maintenance Supervisor for Ogden City, said it best. He wants the public to know “not to be afraid” of these Community Service workers. He goes on to say, “they make mistakes, but they aren’t bad guys.”

My hope is that the everyday citizen in Ogden will have a new take on the men that help with this enormous task each year, who give to the community in one of the most beautiful ways. As you stroll through the lighted park remember that men who have committed crime participated in making a part of your holiday tradition wonderful.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Marcy Taylor-Rizzi is a freelance writer with an interest in connecting people with/to nature.  After working in corrections for 15 years she uprooted her life, quitting her job, and enrolled at the University of Utah.  Her current projects include writing for Q Salt Lake and blogging for Antelope Island State Park.

Marcy enjoys her free time with her partner, three kids, and two pit bulls.  You can usually find her reading a book, writing, or googling like mad to ensure accuracy, even if it is only a meme passed around on Facebook.