Rotary Hosts Annual Children’s Christmas Party
Last Tuesday, December 13, 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. Due to Covid, this was the first party hosted for the children from local shelters since 2019. The excitement was contagious as the guests were greeted by friendly smiles and Christmas music by Robert Hoffman of Club Anywhere, who also brought some great party games!
More than fifty children and twenty adults attended this year’s event. Dinner was prepared by Rotarians Marco Jaramillo, Randy Vanderbilt, Dan Willits and volunteer Daniel Riensche, and served by Rotarians, staff members from the Castro Valley Sanitary District and other community volunteers. All present enjoyed a ham dinner with all the extras and multiple pieces of pie!
Santa arrived by fire truck - Sirens and all! - as his sleigh broke down (again)! Children rushed outside to discover Santa and Santa’s Helper exiting the Fire Engine! Guests received gifts and encouragement from Santa along with a stuffed animal. The gifts were provided through the CHP Toy Collection Program overseen by Public Information Officer Dan Jacowitz and Officer Tom Gowin, and selected by Santa’s Helper, Rotarian Ceta Dochterman. 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 present.
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 one of the most anticipated Club events as the children’s faces change, but 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. ‘Service Above Self’ is alive and well at the Rotary Club of Castro Valley and throughout our community.”
