December 9, 2017
The St. Thomas Council hosted its Annual Christmas Party for area needy children on Saturday, December 9, 2017. The children were treated to pizza, cake, cookies, sweets and lemonade. Santa was on hand to give each child a gift. There are also crafts, balloon tying, and face painting. A D.J. was also on hand to provide musical entertainment.
Knights, spouses, children, other volunteers and members of the Parish Youth Ministry all pitched in to prep the hall for the party and wrap gifts. When the children (with parents) showed up, they did crafts, got their faces painted, and got "tied balloon" animals. The kids then enjoyed pizza and cake at noontime. Following the dessert, each child was called up to sit on Santa's lap and receive his or her gift.
The St. Thomas Council raised funds for the Christmas Party by selling raffle tickets and taking donations during various weekends at Marden's, Shaw's Supermarket and at the Annual Apple Festival in Alfred. Approximately $2,200 was raised. The Sanford VFW Chapter also donated $300 toward this cause.
Needless to say, all the children had a good time; and appeared to be grateful. This was probably the only Christmas most of these kids will get.
The children gather around the cake - moments before Santa arrives!
At left is Jim Bachelder (a.k.a. Santa Claus), at center is Gary Partenaude, who was the DJ at the party, at right is Mrs. Bachelder (a.k.a. Mrs. Santa Claus)
