Santa visits Boys and Girls Club
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By Arianna Riccio, Americorps VISTA
LAKE COUNTY — This Christmas season, the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County spread the joy of the holiday by hosting Christmas parties for its members in both Ronan and Polson. While the Club members were still in school, eagerly awaiting the event, the staff of the Boys and Girls Clubs worked hard to create some Christmas magic for the boys and girls by decorating the Clubs, baking cookies, making arrangements for Santa to visit all the way from the North Pole and taking the role of Santa’s elves by organizing gifts that had been previously delivered to the Clubs. By the time the Club members arrived after school (on Friday, Dec. 18 for Ronan members and Monday, Dec. 21 for Polson), each Club had a festive air that filled the children with excitement and anticipation as they entered through the Club door.
Of course, the Club members were most eager to visit with Santa. However, before he arrived, the whole Club, staff and youth members alike, celebrated with a Christmas feast of many children’s favorite food – pizza. Each Club received more than 20 pizzas in five different flavors, all donated by Reid Clapham, a good Samaritan from Newark, Delaware who has been a regular quarterly donor to the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County for six years now. The Club members, as well as their families, who were all invited, greatly enjoyed his donation and the other party treats, such as the chips, cookies and hot chocolate they enjoyed while waiting for Santa to arrive. According to Club member Sonson, age 7, sharing this meal with his parents was a very special moment for him.
Finally, the awaited hour came, and the Club members literally jumped for joy when Santa walked through the door. They eagerly lined up to sit on his lap and tell him what they desired for Christmas. Club member Brooklyn, 7, said that she couldn’t wait to tell Santa her Christmas list and is now eagerly awaiting Christmas morning. Each youth also had their picture taken with Santa and received a stocking full of gifts from him, along with a toy of his or her choice. After they had visited with Santa, the Club members had the opportunity to decorate Christmas ornaments and Christmas cookies with their parents before heading home.
Overall, the Club members greatly enjoyed the Christmas celebration. Jesse, 11, said that his favorite part of the event was receiving a glass chess and checkers set that he has played with almost every day since receiving it. For Sahfire, 9, spending time with her family at the Club was very meaningful to her. No matter what the Club members enjoyed most, it was evident that everyone — child, parent and staff alike — had a fun and memorable experience. For the youth of the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County, Christmas truly did come early this year.
