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Santa Claus guest of honor at 96th Lions Club party
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
Timothy Bellamy’s plans for Christmas follow those of many children, but getting a sneak preview of what’s to come added to his festivities.
“I will go to sleep early and celebrate Christmas with my family,” the 11-year-old South Side Academy student said.
As it turned out, though, Timothy also got to celebrate the holiday a bit early, thanks to Santa Claus, who made an early Christmas appearance and was the guest of honor for Tuesday’s 96th annual Youngstown Lions Club Christmas Party for Visually Impaired and Special Needs Children event at the Youngstown Saxon Club, 710 S. Meridian Road, on the West Side.
Timothy was among the 96 youngsters from South Side Academy, East and Chaney high schools, Choffin Career and Technical Center, the Leonard Kirtz School and Discovery Transition to Careers at Volney who received gifts from Santa Claus and Lions Club members.
Also with the children were their teachers and other support-staff members.
The students had $30 budgets from which they selected what they wanted at Target in Boardman or online. Club members gave them additional presents consisting of gloves, hats and scarves, noted Kyle Miasek, the Youngstown Lions Club’s president.
Gifts the students chose included action figures, jewelry, clothing, sweatshirts and football jerseys, Miasek said.
Timothy said the No. 1 item he wanted was an Apple iPhone 7.
Putting forth a similar request was Kwein Freeman, 9, who also attends South Side Academy. The youngster listed Christmas and Thanksgiving as his favorite holidays, adding that Tuesday’s gathering also marked the first time he had seen St. Nick in person.
Another South Side Academy student who relished an early dose of Christmas cheer was 11-year-old Tamea Robinson, who took home the popular board game “Clue.”
Accompanying the three children was Marquita Hall, the academy’s registered nurse, who also said a main theme of her holiday will be spending time with family, along with taking part in small parties at the school.
“Any joy we can bring back to [the students], I’m honored,” she added. “I feel that this is the best job in the world.”
It wasn’t long between Santa’s arrival and when he was tasked with helping club members pass out the gifts, as longtime Lions Club member Parker McHenry, who served as master of ceremonies, read each of the 96 students’ names aloud before they came up to receive their presents.
The Lions Club launched the annual holiday gathering in 1920, and it was initially to assist children who were blind, but has grown over the years to include youngsters with a variety of challenges, Miasek explained.
As much as the recipients enjoyed getting early holiday presents, the gathering was rewarding for club members, who relished seeing the youngsters’ reactions, he continued.
“I love watching them open their gifts, and it makes your heart beat. It’s so moving,” Miasek said. “An opportunity to make a difference in their daily lives, even if for a short afternoon, is well worth it.”
The event also featured the singing of Christmas carols and a lunch consisting of turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes.