Tuesday, December 22, 2009
For Jinny’s Blog
The Wellborn Community Association held its annual Children’s Christmas Party last Friday, December 18. We had planned to hold the event outside to enjoy all the beautiful decorations and lights Charles Osgood had put up around the pavilion. This year’s Christmas Party Chairperson, Chris Williams, had great ideas to make a lighted candy cane lane to the country store porch and serve hot chocolate and cookies there. Luminaries were going to guide the children to Santa. The weather had other ideas. At 3:00 pm, we decided to move our celebration indoors and Charles, Wayne Brooks, Tim Williams and other helpers put up a shorter candy cane lane leading to the front door.
Beanie Brooks, Bobbi Fenderson, Krystal Williams and Ruth Ford greeted the children and gave them their tickets to visit Santa, receive a toy and enter into a drawing for larger prizes. Kelcy McBreairty was set up in the front to sell last minute raffle tickets to those who had not yet purchased them. Kelcy has done a wonderful job with our raffles lately and we really appreciate her. Inside the building the children and parents were treated to more decorations put up by the men, as well as red tables with beautiful centerpieces made by Jackie Slaughter. Representatives of the Suwannee High School Band played Christmas carols beautifully for our enjoyment.
Tables were called by number and each child visited with Santa and received an age-appropriate toy. Everyone enjoyed the delicious hot chocolate made by Kathy Wotton and homemade cookies brought by many WCA members. Then it was time for the drawings for the bigger prizes. Each age group had a large boy and girl gift. Don & Linda Dye and Wendell & Kathie Snowden donated bicycles for the age six to eight boys and girls and the age 13 to 15 teens.
We were witnesses to some Christmas Spirit in action when two different children who won drawings for the larger toys, each said they wished to donate the prize back because they already had one at home. The first and second place cash raffle prizes were won by people who were actually at the party – SO EXCITING!! All three cash prizes went to people who could really use the money.
Another Christmas Spirit moment occurred involving the cash raffle. Alexis Sanders purchased two raffle tickets with her own money and gave one to her friend. This young girl won the $200 prize. She went back to her seat, opened her envelope, and immediately handed $100 to her friend. First place was won by Donna Stuckey, and third by Laurie Bastaurache
Many members worked hard to put this event together, donating not only their time and energy but money, toys, food and supplies as well. I think all would agree that it was well worth it to see the smiles on the faces of the children and share in their excitement. The Christmas Spirit is alive and well in Wellborn!
Picture captions –
“Candy Cane Lane,” “Santa Arrives,” “Santa’s Elf, Santa and Mrs. Claus,” “Visiting Santa,” “Winner of one of four bicycles given away,” “Another Bicycle Winner
The Wellborn Community Association held its annual Children’s Christmas Party last Friday, December 18. We had planned to hold the event outside to enjoy all the beautiful decorations and lights Charles Osgood had put up around the pavilion. This year’s Christmas Party Chairperson, Chris Williams, had great ideas to make a lighted candy cane lane to the country store porch and serve hot chocolate and cookies there. Luminaries were going to guide the children to Santa. The weather had other ideas. At 3:00 pm, we decided to move our celebration indoors and Charles, Wayne Brooks, Tim Williams and other helpers put up a shorter candy cane lane leading to the front door.
Beanie Brooks, Bobbi Fenderson, Krystal Williams and Ruth Ford greeted the children and gave them their tickets to visit Santa, receive a toy and enter into a drawing for larger prizes. Kelcy McBreairty was set up in the front to sell last minute raffle tickets to those who had not yet purchased them. Kelcy has done a wonderful job with our raffles lately and we really appreciate her. Inside the building the children and parents were treated to more decorations put up by the men, as well as red tables with beautiful centerpieces made by Jackie Slaughter. Representatives of the Suwannee High School Band played Christmas carols beautifully for our enjoyment.
Tables were called by number and each child visited with Santa and received an age-appropriate toy. Everyone enjoyed the delicious hot chocolate made by Kathy Wotton and homemade cookies brought by many WCA members. Then it was time for the drawings for the bigger prizes. Each age group had a large boy and girl gift. Don & Linda Dye and Wendell & Kathie Snowden donated bicycles for the age six to eight boys and girls and the age 13 to 15 teens.
We were witnesses to some Christmas Spirit in action when two different children who won drawings for the larger toys, each said they wished to donate the prize back because they already had one at home. The first and second place cash raffle prizes were won by people who were actually at the party – SO EXCITING!! All three cash prizes went to people who could really use the money.
Another Christmas Spirit moment occurred involving the cash raffle. Alexis Sanders purchased two raffle tickets with her own money and gave one to her friend. This young girl won the $200 prize. She went back to her seat, opened her envelope, and immediately handed $100 to her friend. First place was won by Donna Stuckey, and third by Laurie Bastaurache
Many members worked hard to put this event together, donating not only their time and energy but money, toys, food and supplies as well. I think all would agree that it was well worth it to see the smiles on the faces of the children and share in their excitement. The Christmas Spirit is alive and well in Wellborn!
Picture captions –
“Candy Cane Lane,” “Santa Arrives,” “Santa’s Elf, Santa and Mrs. Claus,” “Visiting Santa,” “Winner of one of four bicycles given away,” “Another Bicycle Winner
# posted by Jinny Wilson @ 9:09 AM 
