Santa visits Slovak Society party

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Neighbors | Submitted.Josie Applegarth and Shae Hanley assisted Mr. and Mrs. Claus with the distribution of the gifts at the National Slovak Society's annual Christmas party.

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Neighbors | Submitted.Brady Lewis listened intently as Mrs. Claus told him how to stay on the “nice” list at the annual National Slovak Society Christmas party.

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Neighbors | Submitted.Many children attended the National Slovak Society's Christmas party to see Santa Claus. Some of the children were, from left, (front) Tod Applegarth, Jake Williams, Samantha Williams, Mikayla Hanley, Emma Drombetta, Jack Gaither, Ben Gaither, Samantha Cannon; (back) Christopher Drombetta, Savannah Wymer, Paige Urichko, Cameron Mason, Olivia Urichko, Ashlynn Mason, Cadence Shorthouse, Peyton Shorthouse, Christian Burns, Cassandra Wymer and Jake Hanley.

More than 100 National Slovak Society members and their friends enjoyed an afternoon celebrating the Christmas season together at the Region 7 Christmas Party at Holy Family Parish Hall in Poland.

While waiting for Santa’s arrival, the children participated in various craft stations making reindeer ears, reindeer food, decorating pine cones, creating ornaments, coloring and playing games.

Santa (Warren Wilding of Boardman), accompanied by Mrs. Claus (Mrs. Wilding), arrived to the sound of the kids singing “Here Comes Santa Claus.”

Santa came prepared with his long “naughty and nice” list of names of 50 children ranging in age from 5 months to 17 years. Each child got an opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap to tell him what they’d like for Christmas and received a gift from him, provided by local NSS Assembly 731.

A 50-50 raffle raised $75 for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Mahoning Valley to help with the collection of non-perishable food items attendees brought to the party. Refreshments and a cookie table were enjoyed by all.