Doing for others

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- His request stunned the Elves of Christmas Present. Never in all their 14 years of Christmases had any recipient asked for this.

The only thing Richard Montgomery said the elves could do for him this Christmas -- perhaps his last Christmas -- was to let him be an elf.

"I wanted to do something for someone else," he told his parents. "That's what Christmas is really about."

The wisdom of this 20-year-old's words, and his maturity as he faces his illness -- an advanced cancer that is spreading quickly -- caused Chief Elf to pause from the bustle of the Christmas projects, sit back in his chair and cry.

The Elves of Christmas Present is a Kansas City organization that tries to make Christmas extra special for a few families who have had a difficult year. This year, among those selected were Richard from Blue Springs and Eric Netter, 15, of Independence.

Both are sick with cancer. But Richard's cancer is advanced. He's now in a wheelchair, in hospice care and often in pain.

Eric has had four surgeries for brain tumors since 1998; his most recent was Dec. 17. Next month he begins a new round of chemotherapy.

Both are big fans of the Chiefs.

The elves decided to honor Richard's request. He had the responsibility of selecting the gift, buying the gift and delivering the gift. After a brainstorming session with a few elves, an idea emerged.

Eric's Christmas present would be an autographed Chiefs football. Richard agreed. But could he find one in four days, in time for Christmas?

After many phone calls he finally found a Priest Holmes-signed football within his budget. The football was delivered to his home in Blue Springs, and Richard paid for it.

The autographed football rested nearby. Richard's father, Ron Montgomery, grabbed the van keys, preparing to take Richard and an assistant elf known as Tom to Eric's house in Independence.

But then there was a knock on the Montgomerys' door.

In walked one of the biggest men Richard has ever seen in his life -- a 6-foot-2, 320-pound Pro Bowl player, Chiefs offensive lineman Will Shields.

After greeting the family, Shields brought out another football from behind his back.

"I thought since you were giving one away, I'd give you this one," he said, taking out a silver pen and signing the pigskin.

And then the convoy headed toward the Netters' house.

At the house, a chunk of ice blocked the path of Richard's wheelchair. His father, Will Shields and assistant elf Tom carried him to the door.

Eric and his family watched as strangers enter their living room. Then Shields crossed the threshold.

Eric grinned. His "Thanks!" made his mom, Suzanne, his dad, David, and his brother, Jon, all laugh.

Later, Chief Elf calls Richard. He always calls the lead elf on every project team to thank them for a completed mission.

Richard told him how it went. Then after a moment, he said: "I got my wish."

And Chief Elf managed to squeak out a goodbye before he cried again.