Tampa Lodge hosted more than 100 children and their families Dec. 16 at the Youth Committee’s annual children’s Christmas party. As guests found their seats, they found coloring pages and games at their seats while they waited patiently for Santa (Paul DeLand, PER) and his Pirate friend (Stephen Willis). Once Santa arrived, the children took turns sharing their Christmas wishes with him. They were most excited to get a picture with Santa, thanks to Kim VanWalker. While they waited to see Santa, they participated in crafts and games, including decorating cookies, which were donated by Sandy and Carl Jacobs; decorating ornaments, making reindeer food, and doing a snowball toss. During this time, the parents shopped for toys in the Antler room, including gifts from the Walgreens-Elks gift drive, toys donated by members, and gifts purchased using funds donated by members, including a generous anonymous donor, Paula Rouselle, Jack Johnson, Sam Washington and Sharon Dobson. Afterward, everyone enjoyed a spaghetti dinner, cooked by Dee Cisneros, PER; Shelagh Gombarcik; and April Holtzman. At the end of the event, children received Christmas goody bags. The event was put on by Jackie Jacobs, Youth Activities Chair, and 49 volunteers.
Pictured are Soccer and Hoop Shoot winners Elijah, Selina and Aubrianna Saffor with Santa.