[Previous entry] [Main Index] [Next entry]

12/14/2003 Entry: "2003 Kid's Christmas Party"

Well, the presents are all unwrapped, the kids are all smiles and Santa and Mrs. Clause are taking some much needed time off. The NEWAL Kids Christmas Party this year was a lot of fun. It’s a neat event that the Union puts on for your kids and grandkids every year to help celebrate the season.

First, we would like to thank John Durben, Jeff Hackl and Steve Fostner for helping us to publicize the event. Then, thanks goes to Sharon Duescher and her Mom for helping Santa get all the presents that were requested. They seem to know just what the kids want each year. Thanks to Santa (a.k.a. Norb Van Pay) and Mrs. Clause (a.k.a. Cindy Peterson). They know just how to keep the Christmas spirit going year after year.

Thank you to our helpers who helped us set up, called Bingo, helped with the picture frame craft and helped us take everything back down. They were there from 9:30am until about 3:00pm. Our helpers this year were: Kyle Hansen, Taylor VandenBush, Ashley Bongers and Colin Nohr. Thanks, also, to all the members who stayed around to help us with the clean up, that is always appreciated. Sorry we couldn’t name you all. Thank you to Mona and John Durben for taking such wonderful pictures and digitals of all the kids as they were visiting with the Clauses. Also, thanks to Jeff Hackl for putting them on the NEWAL web site so others may enjoy them.

Thanks to all the members and their spouses who brought donations of food items and supplies. You were: John and Mona Durben-Cookies and Cheetos; Cindy Peterson-Chips/dip and Veggie Pizza; Heather Hopfensperger-plates, cups, napkins, cheese curls; Terry Wentworth-meat/cheese tray and crackers; Barb Glaser-cookies; Jody Bertrand-pretzels, marble and banana bread; Arlyn Wilinski-Christmas cookies; Tracy Kubica-potato salad; Vickie Bongers-cookies, potato salad, decorating and organizing expertise; Gail Nohr-crab dip and crackers, veggie tray, meat and cheese tray. We apologize if we missed anyone as our original list got lost in the shuffle.

We had about 30 kids and 50 family members at the event this year. All the kids got 2 Bingo prizes and made a Christmas picture frame for their picture with Santa. Mrs Clause read 2 stories and gave out candy canes. We then sang Christmas Carols until it was time to give away the Poinsettias to the parents. Then Santa came and called every child up by name. Some were a little shy, like the little girl who would not open her eyes for anything while on Santa’s lap, she tried to hide behind her candy cane. Some were so excited they couldn’t wait to give Santa several big hugs, like Jody Bertrand’s 2 year old daughter, Sarah. Some didn’t want to have anything to do with the big guy, like Ginger Lepp’s granddaughter Jayden.

Thanks again to everyone involved and to the family members who came out to give the little ones something special. The Magic of Christmas.

Vickie Bongers and Gail Nohr