"Clutch" saves Christmas

Valley Life editor

In the children's book "A Semi for a Sleigh," readers are introduced to Clutch, a trucker who helps save Christmas for a lot of children.

Author Mark Mendonsa's tale opens with Clutch driving through Wyoming in a fierce storm.

Clutch pulls into a cafe, and finds out that the town's children won't have a good Christmas because the packing plant closed, leaving little money for presents and the Christmas spirit.

Clutch remembers that he is packing a truckload of toys bound for East Illinois. He opens the back and starts handing out the toys to the town's children, all of whom are extremely grateful.

Clutch's good deeds were not rewarded, however.

When he pulled across the state line with an empty truck, he was arrested and thrown in jail. When he finally gets his moment in court, a jolly old man with a white beard comes to his defense.

The old man, who appears to be wearing a disguise, admits that he has no cash to bail Clutch out, but offers something better -- outside the courthouse, a large pile of toys appear beside Clutch's truck.

In the end, Clutch finds out the man was Santa Claus, who thanks him for his efforts.

"It's about people helping people at Christmas, and I think that's a great message," Mendonsa said.