From left, Sabrina Short, Tanner Barrett, Jacob Jerzak, and Rieley Jerzak await the arrival of Santa. (Photos by Wendy Post)
Continuing with their efforts to give back to the community, the VFW in Owego was host to not one Christmas Party and movie, but two. On Sunday, the veteran organization saw a record number of children arrive for the annual party and movie event, and was forced, because of this, to split them in two.
According to Joann Rushing, one of the volunteers who helped to organize the event, the VFW ended up hosting two showings of the Disney movie, Moana, at the Tioga Theater in Owego, and two separate Christmas parties –
Santa arrives at the VFW on Sunday, greeting children as he entered through the elevator door.
complete with Santa and gifts for the children.
“We had to break it down,” said Rushing.
The event, which is held at both the Tioga Theater for the movie, and at the VFW Post 1371 for the party, offers area children a party of their own with a free movie, and then a gathering with Santa at the Post. There, each child receives a gift from Santa, as well as cookies and pizza.
Lori McDonough, one of the organizers at the VFW, reported they had 221 children this year; a number that is up a bit from last year.
The volunteers worked last weekend to wrap the gifts in preparation for the party. They also worked at home to bake cookies.
Cookies are handed out by volunteers. From left, are Joann Rushing, Linda Barrett, Cheryl Denton and Alice Dang.
Linda Barrett, volunteer, noted that the “cookie ladies”, a group of volunteers, baked 400 cookies to bring to the party.
As for the toys, McDonough went on to explain that over $3,000 was spent on the toys distributed by Santa. She added that Toys R Us gave them a generous discount on the gifts.
And the gift of giving was the ultimate goal for the organizers and the volunteers.
Rushing stated that she was one of the shoppers
Maylin Jackson is pictured with a Leap Frog toy dog that she received from Santa on Sunday.
that went out to select the gifts.
“It was so much fun,” said Rushing. “And what a gift to see all of the children here today that are receiving them.”
The VFW and its auxiliaries hold fundraisers throughout the year in an effort to hold events, such as this one, that are free for the community.
To learn more about the VFW and their activities and efforts, you can call them at (607) 687-1371 or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com-Post-1371-692866237497841/.
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