Santa Claus Visits Children at Ford City VFW
As many as 150 kids along with family members jammed the Ford City VFW Post 4843 (Pattonville) last Sunday to await the arrival of Santa Claus (center rear of photo). The children were grouped according to age categories and given appropriate gifts for that age group.
by David Croyle
Santa takes a moment to chat with one-year-old Wyatt Duncan. Wyatt is being held by his grandfather Rex Duncan of East Franklin Township.
Santa made a special stop in Ford City and didn’t forget the presents!
As many as 150 children gathered at the Ford City Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4843 on Sunday, December 18th.
Brenda Leightley from Kittanning Township whispered to Santa her wish for this Christmas as she joined her granddaughters 7-year-old Ciara Jenta (left) and 4-year-old Hailey Jenta.
The annual event is not restricted to just families of veterans, but is an area-wide event. The party normally takes about two hours and is always held the Sunday afternoon before Christmas.
TRYKE WINNERS (Ages 0-4): John Henderson from Verona (left), will be 3 years old in January. Airrianna Bove, 2, was excited with her present.
Auxiliary President Chris Zionkowski said the Christmas gifts are provided by the VFW.
“Presents were bought from all our Bingo that we did throughout the year from January to December - every Saturday night - from the Home Association Funds.”
BIKE WINNERS (Ages 4-6): (not necessarily in order)Bobby Trudgen (5) Rayburn Twp; Abigail Fox (6) Manor Twp; Zachary Toy (4) Vandergrift; Raylen Angert (5) Butler; Ciara Jenta (7) Kittanning Twp.
In addition, Zionkowski said several local businesses and VFW members donated bicycles which were raffled off the children in each age group.
“Bikes were donated from life members. They are just members that gratefully donated the bikes. All auxiliary members went out with the money bought all the gifts and we wrapped them.”
BIKE WINNERS (Ages 7-9): Samantha Wood (7) Karns City; Qwenton Long (9) Kittanning; Nevaeh Lloyd (8) Ford City; Brent Toy (9) Manor Township.
Zionkowski said Auxiliary members considered gifts that matched age groups for the children.
“It was $10 gifts for the boys and girls and we just went from what kids were doing these days, such as baby dolls, toy trucks for little kids, board games, football, race cars, remote control cars. That’s basically what we did - just your basic toys.”
BIKE WINNERS (Ages 10-12): Alex Patton (10) Cadogan; Lissya Crissman (13) Manor Twp.
In addition to bicycles, Logan Bemish won a homemade baby cradle and 8-month-old Gannen Davis won the rocking horse. Both items were handcrafted by VFW members.
Everyone in attendance was treated to hot dogs, cookies, and a beverage.
Local News | David Croyle December 23, 2016
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