On Wednesday December 15, all of the Rotarians in Seaside, along with Seaside High Jazz Chorus, church members and many community folks all became Santas for the community of needy children.
Over 250 families this year qualified as needy according to DSHS local officials, and each of their 400 children received several gifts – hand-wrapped, personally addressed, and readied for delivery. Tomorrow, Rotarians will team up to deliver them to the households and with bright shining faces wish them a Merry Christmas.
Wishes wrapped at Convention Center
“Together with our community, we serve children who would otherwise not have a Merry Christmas”, said Wishing Tree co-Chair Dawn Miller.
Many presents are donated by well-wishers who select bells, hung with care at banks and businesses in Seaside. Hundreds of rolls of paper and tape are consumed, and the Convention Center is filled for hours as the elves busy their gift wrapping.
Rotarians in Seaside wrapping for Wishing Tree Dec 2010
This activity puts a smile on every Rotarian’s face as we work, and deliver presents. We couldn’t do this without the great support from business owners and individuals who raise their paddle each year at our Auction” said co-Chair Sandy McDowall. The word of mouth has spread each year: relatives who are visiting the Beach always come, families bring all their children (and extra scissors), even drink servers donate their time and proceeds.
Incoming President Stew Martin remembered: “One year, it snowed as we delivered gifts … and our hearts warmed even more with the idea we were Santa.” And there were plenty of folks wearing red caps furred with white, last night.
SM
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