Santa visit rewards kids in afterschool program
HAMILTON — As Santa Claus waited alone in the lobby at the Courtyard by Marriott, dozens of inner-city children enjoyed a buffet lunch and slowly got used to the glittering chandeliers, cloth napkins and fine glassware in the banquet room.
The extravagance was a change for the disadvantaged youths, who were selected to receive gifts as part of the Kiwanis Kids Christmas Party.
The Lindenwald Kiwanis Club of Hamilton event was assisted by Marriott and Colonial Services, who bused the children to the hotel from the Hamilton Living Water Ministry in the 700 block of Sycamore Street.
Kiwanis members bought gifts specifically for each individual child. Nearly 80 children, mostly Hispanic, who receive tutoring and homework help at Living Water Ministry throughout the year, benefited from the event.
While the children waited eagerly for their name to be called, Living Water Ministry Executive Director Cathy Hester said the party is reserved for those who behave well and consistently attend after-school homework sessions.
“This is incentive for them,” Hester said. “If they work hard and do their homework, they get to visit Santa.”
Last year, about 50 children were invited to the party, during a time when a series of unsolved arsons were plaguing their neighborhood.
Hester said the ministry has helped about twice as many families this year as compared to last.
“The recession has definitely affected us as an agency, our children and families,” she said.
Kiwanian John McWilliam said the event is an opportunity to teach the children the meaning of the season — “to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Christ ... (and) to love each other as neighbors.”
“Some people complain about ordinary stuff. These kids don’t have anything, but they don’t know it,” he said.
After the Kiwanians led a sing-along of “Silent Night,” a small group of children took the podium and led the next song — “Feliz Navidad.”
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