A day to celebrate Christmas for kids ... and recycling

The children warmed up from the cold with games, friends and good times.
By SARAH POULTON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Only one thing could silence the approximately 100 children who thundered around the room laughing: Santa.
A hush fell over the Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown's Christmas party as Santa Claus made his entrance. Santa came to life for everyone as he told stories of gift-giving, the North Pole and recycling.
Recycling and Christmas may not go hand-in-hand, but members of the Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown have spent the past nine months collaborating with the Green Team, the recycling division of Mahoning County government.
Robert Marchese, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club, said while the children were celebrating the holiday together, they were also celebrating the first recycling station on the South Side of Youngstown.
'Gift to the kids'
Marchese said that while they had some organized activities planned, the day was mostly about letting the kids be kids and have fun together. He said Santa Claus was the big treat planned at the end, and it was also exciting for the children to be a part of the press conference to honor the recycling station, he said.
"[The party is] our gift to the kids," Marchese said. "It's a tradition here."
Marchese said the Boys and Girls Club is a United Way agency that focuses on a variety of after-school activities for children. In 2005, the Youngstown club served 1,253 children, he said.
Jim Petuch, director of the Green Team, said this is one of four new recycling sights in Mahoning County. He said he is excited about this location because it gives him a chance to convey to the children how important recycling really is. He added that he thinks it's working.
"The bin was delivered Tuesday and it was filled by Thursday morning," Petuch said. "Two to three tons in 48 hours is a good start."
After the excitement from the press conference wore off, the children warmed up from the cold with games, friends and good times.
Kids respond
Yarnell Green, 16, of Youngstown, has been coming to the Boys and Girls Club since he was five years old. A sophomore at Summit Academy, he said the staff was very nice and the Christmas Party gets more fun every year.
"I like seeing people," Yarnell said. "I like hanging out here with my friends, especially this time of year."
Tiera Cappitte, 14, a freshman at Struthers, said she's been hanging out at the Boys and Girls Club for about seven years. She said recycling is very important any time of the year, so she thought this was the perfect opportunity to celebrate both.
"I'm having a great time hanging out with my friends, relaxing and enjoying myself," Tiera said. "It's good to get the word out on recycling too. We need it."
Marie, 10, a foster child currently living in Youngstown, is celebrating her first Christmas at the Boys and Girls Club. She said she goes there a lot and enjoys playing with her friends and learning different things.
"We get to play in this huge room," Marie said. "How cool is that?"
Braylin Bell, 8, of Youngstown, said he frequently hangs out at the Boys and Girls Club after school. The third-grader at Williamson Elementary School said he was really enjoying the Christmas party, but he enjoys every day at the club.
"You get to read, learn and hang out with your friends," Braylin said. "I'm having a blast."
spoulton@vindy.com