Little SL home open Saturday to help American troops overseas
Thu, Dec 4, 2008 
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BY MARIE HAVENGA
mhavenga@grandhaventribune.com
SPRING LAKE — There's barely enough room in Beth VanDerHorst's 400-square-foot rental home for her, her dog and her cat.
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But she's opening her historic home and her heart Saturday, hoping to raise funds for American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. VanDerHorst will host a Christmas open house from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. at 229 S. Buchanan St.
From Savidge Street, head south on Buchanan at Spring Lake Village Hall for a block and a half. The decorated "Christmas house" will be on the right.
"This is the first time I've ever done this here," VanDerHorst said. "I've lived in this little house for a year."
Saturday's events will include a visit from Santa — which is her Indiana-based brother, Chris, 65, who "looks like Santa," according to VanDerHorst.
"My brother plays Santa Claus every year in Indiana and gives the money to the American Legion," she said. "He has his own white beard and white hair."
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The suggested donation is $2 for a family photo with Santa. All proceeds will go to the Grand Haven American Legion Post, which will be redistributed to overseas troops in the form of personal Christmas gifts.
"I'm very excited about it," VanDerHorst said. "I thought this would be a really neat atmosphere for (Chris) to do this in. He's been playing Santa for so many years.
"I have the house all decorated," she continued. "I have a tree with more than 200 candy canes and I wrapped pictures on the wall like gifts. We'll have a rocking chair in front of the fireplace and two pine trees in the yard decorated with lights."
VanDerHorst said she drew inspiration from a children's coloring book built into a story by David Wood, who used the small house at 229 S. Buchanan as the main plot for "The Little House on Buchanan Street" (2007).
"The story is all about the little red house on Buchanan Street," VanDerHorst said. "Years ago (Wood) used to tell the story of the house to his grandkids, then he put it down on paper as a fictional story."
The home was built in 1869, according to historical records. It's owned by village residents Patrick and Abby Reeg. Patrick is a member of the Spring Lake Village Historical Conservation Commission.
VanDerHorst said she appreciates the home's historic value, as do others who have apparently read Wood's fictional children's Christmas story.
"Last summer, a friend of the author stopped by and wanted to know if the house really existed," she said. "Toward the end of summer, I had an older gentleman stop in that used to live in the house. We chatted, then he went on his way."
Grand Haven American Legion Post 28 Manager Andy VanderHoek said he wishes more people like VanDerHorst would think of the needs of American troops abroad, with sharing as a goal.
"With the way the market is right now, it's tough for everyone," he said. "Whatever we can do to get anybody in the community to help is a good thing. We could really use the help."
VanderHoek said proceeds from Saturday's event will purchase essentials for the troops — including toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, phone cards and playing cards.
"Since there are not showers readily available (in Iraq and Afghanistan), baby wipes are a prime need," he said. "There are just so many essentials that they need for everyday care."
VanDerHorst said she is excited about sharing the small space of her little red house on Saturday.
"Hopefully, we'll have people lined up outside and they can come in to see Santa one family at a time," she said. "I don't have much room, so people will probably have to wait outside. My sister, Theresa, will take photos and print them out right here."
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