Christmas is coming in only a few days, but Santa Claus took time out of his busy schedule on Dec. 13, for a special visit to children in Santee military families. Sleigh bells rang at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9327, as Santa arrived in mid-morning at the Children’s Holiday Party sponsored by the VFW Auxiliary Sisters at the post.
Christmas is coming in only a few days, but Santa Claus took time out of his busy schedule on Dec. 13, for a special visit to children in Santee military families. Sleigh bells rang at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9327, as Santa arrived in mid-morning at the Children’s Holiday Party sponsored by the VFW Auxiliary Sisters at the post.
Youngsters ranging from seven months to 10 years WAITED with excitement for the visitor from the North Pole, engaging in fun holiday activities before his arrival. Most of the young were children or grandchildren of veterans. Others were children of families living in local military housing. Gathered around tables at the post and assisted by helpful adults, the kids could choose to frost cupcakes, color holiday cards, affix decals to ornaments and decorate pine cones.
Santa made the rounds of happy, amazed children, and then sat in his seat of honor beside the Christmas tree, ready to give out presents that were specifically selected for each child attending the party. Sherry Gallucci donated and assembled bags of goodies to accompany the wrapped presents. Area resident Lee Shields had surprised the group, by donating time, materials and labor to craft 16 handmade Christmas stockings, carefully hand-stitched of felt, layered and padded into three dimensional effects.
Thomas Michonski, age ten, said, “This has been a good party.” What did he like best? “I liked the food best,” he answered. “I liked the cupcakes. I put blue frosting on mine with gummy bears on top.”
Karen Watts-Walker has been president of the Auxiliary since stepping in to fill the unexpectedly vacant office in November. She ramped up planning for the holiday party over those next two months. Her community service group has also collected $500 to donate to Santee Santas, and she will be seeking two families in need, preferably military families, who have children attending Prospect School. She and her Auxiliary Sisters will be giving these families turkeys, hams and $50 gift cards for Christmas.
