Скачать или смотреть I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas - Aryna and Jim Chapman | Gayla Peevey

🎄 My First Christmas Solo 🎶 This was my very first Christmas concert where I sang solo — a moment I will remember forever.
Thank you so much, dearJim Chapman ‪@jimchapman9560‬ and Carlyn Chapman for the invitation! It was such an honour to be surrounded by wonderful musicians and kind. I had so much fun singing, and the whole evening felt truly magical. You are a true inspiration!

And after the concert, I couldn’t stop thinking…
𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙄 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙖 𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙪𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙬? 🦛🎄😄

By the way talanted girl, Gayla Peevey, who recorded the song “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” back in 1953 when she was just 10 years old, actually did get her hippopotamus — and here’s how.

The song became a big hit, and what started as a fun holiday tune turned into something much bigger and very special. Inspired by Gayla’s song, the Oklahoma City Zoo @OKCZoovideos launched a fundraiser, inviting children to send in their nickels and dimes to help make her Christmas wish come true.

And it worked. On Christmas Eve in 1953, a baby hippopotamus named Mathilda arrived at the zoo. Gayla donated her Christmas wish to the city, and Mathilda became a beloved part of Oklahoma’s story.

Mathilda lived at the zoo for 45 years, and her story is still remembered today — celebrated through art and cherished as a reminder that music, kindness, and a little imagination can truly make magic happen.

This song is truly special to me. It’s not just fun and festive — it’s a story about dreams, generosity, and how one child’s voice can make the world a little brighter. ✨🦛🎄

Jim Chapman: https://jimchapman.ca/
If you are in London Ontario, please check Jim's Page and attend his concerts at London Unity Center   / jim.chapman.9237