Rotary Club Hosts Annual Children’s Christmas Party for Kids from Local Shelters

Photographer Mike Kady, Director of Advancement, Redwood Christian Schools

On December 12, the Castro Valley Rotary Club hosted their annual Children’s Christmas Party for kids and families living in shelters and other housing programs.  The party was chaired by CV Rotarian Mark Poniatowski with help from other members of the Club and the Castro Valley community.  The party was held at the Castro Valley Adult School Multipurpose Room that was transformed by members of the CV Rotary Club led by Rotarian Carol Bigelow.  This was the second party since Covid for the children from local shelters since 2019.  The excitement was contagious as the guests were greeted by friendly smiles of Rotarians Ceta Dochterman and Carol Bigelow and Christmas music and lots of games by CV Rotarian Robert Hoffman of Club Anywhere!

More than sixty and twenty adults joined more than 25 community members at this year’s event.  A dinner of ham, turkey, mac and cheese, green beans, rolls and butter, fruits salad and pies of all kinds was prepared and served by Rotarians Randy Vanderbilt, Dan Willits, and Marco Jaramillo and his wife, Corinne, Rich Zoller, Daniel Riensche, and members of the Castro Valley Sanitary District, and served by Rotarians, staff members from the Castro Valley Sanitary District and other community volunteers.

Santa arrived on top of a hook and ladder fire truck - Sirens and all! - as his sleigh broke down (again)!   Children rushed outside chanting “Santa! Santa! Santa!” to discover Santa climbing down from up on top and Santa’s Helper exiting the Fire Engine!  

Guests received gifts and encouragement from Santa that were provided by the California Highway Patrol Toy Drive overseen by CHP Officer Jennifer Pabst.   The packages were wrapped by the students at Redwood Christian High School, many of whom came and served at the party providing entertainment for the children face painting, making balloon animals, and coloring and playing games with the children.  Santa’s Helper was Dr. Heidi Hausauer and Santa’s Elf was Emilee Doehne.  RCHS students who provided face painting, balloon animals and toys, coloring and playing games with the children were Aidan Azrael, Aviana Becerra, Makenzie Cutrer, Emilee Doehne, Janine Ducusin, Gavin Fanucchi, Kyla Leytem, Christiana Ramos and Sophia Sautter.

Children’s Party Chair Mark Poniatowski, who started this event thirty years ago, remembers the early years and how each year it “continues to be a wonderful event for everyone involved as our Club keeps ‘Service Above Self’ alive and well at the Rotary Club of Castro Valley and throughout our community.  Although the children attending changes, the look on those attending doesn’t – and neither does the impact it has on their lives and everyone involved with making this event special for each child and their parents.  Special thanks to Castro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi and her staff for hosting this event every year, and to Redwood Christian Schools Superintendent Dr. Al Hearne for transporting many of our guests from the women’s shelter by bus, the students of Redwood Christian High School who wrap the gifts and then serve at the party, the Castro Valley Fire Department, the CHP, the Castro Valley Sanitary District, and the many Castro Valley Rotarians that volunteer.”

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