Thank you to those more than 70 helpers who gave food as well as time in bringing this blessing to us all, especially our party coordinators: Mary Hayden (food + kitchen manager); Geraldine Drake (decorations); Chris Kempton (activities), and the many servers who make this event a part of their Christmas.   About 180 persons were served a meal.

We want to thank Santa, as well as, the great musicians Wally Niemann & Anne Courtois, the St. Francis School Choir with Linda Opaleski, and all the kids activities helpers with Chris Kempton.   Also, Jason (the Raffle man) and all the Young Adults of the Friendship Helping Group of Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities for assisting with decorations, as well as, our ESP children with Diane Sheffrey who made decorations, and the group of 5th grade Heart Beat Jump Ropers with Cathy Nichols who helped with setting up chairs and tables.

This party allows St. Francis parishioners to intermingle each year with members of our community whom we might other wise not see and encourage.  One of the best aspects of the event is that it is not a charity event, but truly a joyous celebration among neighbors. This joy can clearly be seen in the eyes of the children and our volunteers.

Thanks to our 70 helpers who gave food as well as time: Catherine Anderson, Mary Claire Anhut, Rich Badics, Johnny Brinley IV, Courtney Campe, Marionette Cano, Lorraine Cordeiro, Anne Courtois, Don Courtois, Donna Davis, Catherine DeBona, Margaret Decker, Phillip Decker, Barbara Dehn, Richard Dehn, Patti Dobbs, Audrey Drago, Alexandria Drake, Denali Drake, Geraldine Drake, Marty Edwards, Erin Emerle, Damon Gilbert, Heather Goethals, Nicholas Goethals, Virginia Harvey, Mary Hayden, Crystal Heft, Debra Hermann, Jacob Hermann, Julia Hermann, Steven Hermann, Julie Holmes, Debbie Howay, Delphine Jarnot, Walter Jarnot, Asif Javed, Kathleen Kaveh, Freddi Kilburn, Cecilia, Miriam, Thomas, Lillian, AJ, Andrea & Chris Kempton, Rosaleen Kirk, Judith Kovac, Julie Lavender, Steve Lavender, Bridget McGillicuddy, Joan Meagher, Robert Meagher, Cicie Miller, David Miller, Felice Moorman, Cathy Nichols, Wally Niemann, Kathleen Novak, Bradley O'Brien, Robert O'Brien, Roger Parlett, Mona Peterson, Cathy Pietrasiuk, Diane Purcell, Colleen Regan, Amy Remillard, Carol Rigg, Courtney Runchey, Jim Russo, Alli Samy, Ann Scott, John Sherry, Patrick Sherry, Rose Sherry, Jinsook Son, Sharon Sprague, Katie Stannard, Angela Szewczul, Denice Virgo, Julie White, Linda Wiseman, & Dorothy Zeck.

See photos here: 

Merry Christmas!