Rotary Club Hosts Annual Children’s Christmas Party for Kids from Local Shelters
On December 10, the Castro Valley Rotary Club hosted their annual Children’s Christmas Party for kids and families living in shelters and other housing programs. CV Rotarian Mark Poniatowski chaired the event (as he has for the last 30+ years!) 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 with center pieces by Shirley Bertinuson.
The guests were greeted by the always friendly Ceta Dochterman and Carol Bigelow, both CV Rotarians, along with the excitement of Christmas music and lots of games by Robert Hoffman of Club Anywhere!
More than fifty children and fifteen guest adults joined more than 25 community members at this year’s event, all working together to make the 2024 Children’s Christmas Party as “kid-friendly” as possible.
“Chef” Randy Vanderbilt along with fellow CV Rotarians Dan Willits and Marco Jaramillo prepared a nutritious and tasty dinner of ham, turkey, mac and cheese, green beans, rolls and butter, fruits salad and pies of all kinds. They were assisted by lead Lorenzo C. Grayson and his fellow staff members of the Castro Valley Sanitary District.
Santa announced his arrival by fire engine using the vehicle’s loud speaker welcoming the kids with red lights flashing as his sleigh broke down again this year! The Alameda Fire Department, who is always ready to serve wherever needed, found Santa and had him and his Helper at the party on time!
Children rushed outside chanting “Santa! Santa! Santa!” to discover Santa and Santa’s Helper exiting the Fire Engine! Lots of hugs followed!
Each of the children received an age-appropriate gift and encouragement from Santa and his Helper. The gifts were provided by the California Highway Patrol Toy Drive overseen by CHP Officers Jennifer Pabst and Kylie Musselman, who serves as our local Public Information Officer. 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 (Dr. Heidi Hausauer) and Santa’s Elves (Miriam Azarei and Savannah Hendren) ensured Santa stayed focused and effective. RCHS students who provided face painting, balloon animals and toys, coloring and playing games with the children were Miriam Azarei, Nicole Baiyee, Natalie Clausen, Julianna De Leon, Travis Dong, Ella Eberhard, Cristobel Francis, Makayka Gobena, Savannah Hendren, Cielo Magana, and Amaya Rivas.
Castro Valley Rotarians involved in Children's Christmas Party included Carol Bigelow, Ceta Dochterman, Dr Heidi Hausauer, Marco Jaramillo, Bruce D Johnson, Jeff Moore, Dwight Perry, Mark Poniatowski, Randy Vanderbilt, Dan Willits and Ye Ye.
Children’s Party Chair Mark Poniatowski stated “it’s truly amazing how each year our guests are always so thankful and considerate of those working on the party for them. Although the children attending changes, the joy that attendees bring with them each year continues to infect everyone in attendance.
“Special thanks to Castro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi and her staff for hosting this special event every year; to Redwood Christian Schools Superintendent Dr. Al Hearne and Director of Transportation/Career and College Counselor Dale Huemoeller, who drove the bus, transporting many of the guests from the women’s shelter by bus; the students of Redwood Christian High School who wrapped the gifts and then served at the party; the Castro Valley Fire Department; the California Highway Patrol; the Castro Valley Sanitary District; and the many Castro Valley Rotarians that continue to model ‘Service Above Self’.”
