Robert McCusker carves out holiday cheer for needy kids

Unlike the real Santa, McCusker doesn't need elves to make his toys. He enjoys carving wooden toys, including several he's made for his grandson, Vincent McCusker, 10. One wooden car was raffled off by the Hancock Chamber of Commerce this month as a fund-raiser.

On Friday, McCusker will give away treats to youngsters at the Hancock Community Center.

McCusker, who's lived on Sideling Hill all his life and manages H&H Cold Storage in Hancock, doesn't limit his volunteering to the Christmas season.

"So much of your life, you're doing stuff for yourself. Sometimes, when your family is raised, you find some time to do things for others," he said.

Several times a month, he delivers meals to senior citizens.

"Some of them don't see many people so they are happy to say a word or two," McCusker said.

Most recently, McCusker donated his time and energy to help move Hancock War Memorial Library to higher ground.

McCusker has commanded the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hancock Memorial Post 10502 since it started in 1988 and is working on a veterans memorial that would list all the veterans from the Hancock election district who fought from World War I through today.

"He's a man who just never stops giving," said Debbie Cohill, secretary of the Hancock Chamber of Commerce.