By Lori EhdeA local artist has shared his talent with a cause he describes as "a project with lasting value."Luverne native Steve Hoffman illustrated the pages of "’Twas the Night Before Christ," a story that last year sold 3,000 copies and raised $51,000 for Children’s Home Society.Hoffman will be in Luverne for a book signing from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, prior to the Winterfest parade, in the United Methodist Church narthex.The poetic tale of the very first Christmas was written by South Dakota actor and author Tom Roberts, whose wife, Tammy, enlisted Hoffman’s help with the project"I had worked with Steve for years, and I knew Steve’s talents," said Tammy, who works in marketing and fund-raising for Children’s Home Society, Sioux Falls."I also knew where his heart was and I knew he would be happy to do this for Children’s Home Society. He was just the perfect choice … He just did a fabulous job."Hoffman, a Luverne High School graduate, has been a graphic designer for more than 20 years.His professional accomplishments include numerous Addy Awards and the American Advertising Federation’s 2002 Silver Medal Award from his peers in the advertising field.Despite an impressive portfolio of brochures, ad slicks and corporate logos, Hoffman said he counts his role in "’Twas the Night Before Christ" among his most rewarding work."It’s something that will be around for a long time," Hoffman said. "Something like this can be read for years and years to children, and they’ll get the true meaning of Christmas."Also rewarding for Hoffman is the fact that it’s helping Children’s Home Society — not surprising, coming from a man who regularly volunteers his talent for worthy causes. "If I die tomorrow, I know I’ve done a good thing … other than make a dollar," he said.Penned in a blizzardThe content for the book was written by Tom Roberts 10 years ago when he was stranded in his van during a December blizzard in South Dakota."It occurred to me that Mary and Joseph were looking for a place to stay on that Christmas eve so long ago," Roberts said. With the secular story "’Twas the Night Before Christmas," fresh in his mind, he combined those thoughts with images of the Biblical couple whose travel ended in a stable."By the time the road opened by 6 the next morning, I had penned this little story," Tom recalled.For several years, he narrated the tale for church groups, civic organizations and school classrooms.Last year, Tammy encouraged her husband to publish his work, and they decided to produce it as a fund-raiser for CHS.They ordered 3,000 copies, not knowing how many, or if they would sell, but in three weeks, they sold out and people were asking for more."We were overwhelmed last year. …We’re just so gratified," Tom said. "We were sure we would have thousands of books leftover that we’d have to pile up in the garage."This year, they printed 15,000 copies, with plans to again donate all proceeds to Children’s Home Society.Tom said the classic story might be part of the reason for the book’s popularity."It’s a story that never gets old. … It has a spirit that’s well-worth perpetuating this time of year," he said."I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have said ‘Thanks for putting Christ back in Christmas.’"Host of volunteersHoffman created all of the illustrations by hand in pastel on poster-sized paper, and a Sioux Falls advertising firm volunteered to transfer the images to digital format for publication."That’s what’s been so amazing about this project," Tammy said. "Every time we’ve had a need, someone in the community has stepped up and said, ‘I can do that.’" Tom and Tammy are proud the book is successful, but they accept praise on behalf of "a host of volunteers."Tom said. "It’s a winner for everyone involved."Since the story was first written as a narration, the book is best experienced when read aloud, lending to its appeal as a holiday tradition and the perfect Christmas gift.The hard-cover 24-page book includes a reader’s log for families to record who read the book each Christmas to whom.If gift appeal isn’t selling the book, versatility is. It comes complete with a CD-CD ROM inserted in the back cover. The story can be told, with music in the background, on the latest in audio and visual technology."It’s amazing to hear the different stories people tell about how they’re sharing the story with others," Tom said.The book retails for $18.50 plus tax and is widely available throughout South Dakota. For Rock County shoppers, the nearest locations are Christmas in the Attic in Garretson and The 1948 Trading Company in Brandon."‘Twas the Night Before Christ" will be available for sale in Luverne during the book signing this weekend for $20 per book, with $2 per book benefiting United Methodist Church youth.Hoffman will be available for signing and book sales at United Methodist Church prior to the Winterfest Parade. Roberts will be at a different signing — one about 40 such events scheduled for the book so far — in South Dakota that night.Children’s Home Society is a residential treatment facility and school for children ages 4 to 13 with severe emotional and behavioral problems due to prior severe abuse and neglect.For more information on the 110-year-old organization and about "’Twas the Night Before Christ," see www.chssd.org. The book can also be ordered online.
