Charlottesville K-Family Brings Santa's Joy to Hundreds

by Jim Hart

The success of two special holiday events shows that the Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville (and the K-Family) has established itself as one of this community's leaders sharing joy with children and families in need. On Sunday, December 4, CKI at the University of Virginia conducted its fourth annual "Breakfast with Santa" for the boys and girls of Charlottesville/Albemarle. More than 125 children and families enjoyed the festivities at Newcomb Hall Ballroom on the Central Grounds at UVA. CKI members with the help of Key Clubbers from five local high schools decorated the grand hall and staffed numerous and varied game stations in order to entertain young and old alike, while breakfast, snacks, and refreshments were available in abundance.Step Dancers from the Boys & Girls Club of Charlottesville provided a thrilling routine for the guests just before Santa Claus (portrayed by past Kiwanis president Philip Day) made his entrance and met with the kids to hand out dozens and dozens of presents with the help of K-Family elves. The Charlottesville Daily Progress newspaper gave front page coverage to this outstanding K-Family event.

Then on Monday evening, December 12, upwards of 100 guests of WorkSource Enterprises were treated to an evening of holiday fun and excitement at the 28th annual "Kiwanis Holiday Party for Persons with Disabilities." More than two dozen members of the service club gathered to serve a barbecue dinner to the invited clients of the ARC of the Piedmont, Region Ten Community Services Board, and WorkSource Enterprises and their caregivers. Everyone was amazed by the spirited antics of Mr. Magic of Freckles & Friends and then the room erupted with screams of delight when Santa Claus (again portrayed by Kiwanian Philip Day) made his much-anticipated entrance. With the help of his K-Family elves, Santa distributed candy canes and personally wished each and every guest the very happiest of holiday seasons. Charlottesville's NBC29 TV station featured the party in its 11 p.m. broadcast. Pictured are Kiwanis elves Judy Faust (above, balancing presents atop her head) and Cindy Harris (right) assisting Kiwanis Santa Philip Day.