Club News – Christmas for Kids Update

On a cold and blustery Saturday morning, December 13, the Rotary Club of Salem hosted the  2013 Christmas for Kids with 35 of the 40 children registered actually participating in the event.  The club project incorporates presenting stockings and presents to all 40 children, as well as giving hams to the family of each child who showed up on that Saturday.  In addition, the children, with the assistance of their individual volunteers, were taken on a shopping trip which allowed them to purchase gifts for their family members.  For many of these children, it was the first time they had actually been able to do this and it was a very intensive process as they wanted to be sure the selected exactly the right thing.  After returning to the site of the event (The Salem Senior Center), the children wrapped their presents and participated in crafts events and games.    As always, one of the highlights of the morning was the visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus and their able assistant elf.

Again this year, the success of the project was due to strong volunteer participation and the partnership with the Salem Elementary schools and their guidance counselors.  Over 25 Rotarians, spouses and friends helped shop, wrap gifts for the children, and stuff stockings, prior to the exciting day.  Bright and early on Saturday morning, 60 volunteers arrived to participate in the family shopping expedition and Christmas party with the K-2nd graders.

The club is already looking forward to and planning for Christmas for Kids 2014 which is currently planned for December 14.

Our thanks to Earline Orndorff for providing the photo and copy for this post.