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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Ninda worked on making a snowman craft during the Polar Express day at Boardman Park on Dec. 16 hosted by the Mahoning County ESC.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Brooklyn made a snowman craft on Dec. 16 at the Polar Express event at Boardman Park as a holiday celebration from Mahoning Valley ESC.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Karson decorated a Christmas tree picture on Dec. 16 during the Mahoning Valley ESC's Polar Express event at Boardman Park.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Khloe, Mikey and Leilah attended the Polar Express event at Boardman Park on Dec. 16 as part of the holiday celebration hosted by Mahoning County ESC.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Children ran up to greet Santa Claus at the Polar Express event at Boardman Park on Dec. 16.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
The Polar Express program is sponsored by Making Kids Count, a local non-profit dedicated to helping children and their families. Making Kids Count works all around the Mahoning Valley with schools and other organizations to promote positive experiences to children and families.
Mahoning Valley ESC’s Help Me Grow program is free for any eligible Mahoning County family. The program provides in-home visits to help families with development education and community resources. The staff members help women that are pregnant or those families who have children up to 5-years-old.
There were more than 100 people registered to attend the Polar Express event to make crafts, listen to a reading of “The Polar Express,” meet Santa Claus and enjoy cookies and milk. All of the families that are involved in the Mahoning Valley ESC were invited to the event.
“They have an opportunity to come out and have a little social time, do some crafts and enjoy the holidays,” said Kim Johnson, event coordinator and Infant/Toddler program supervisor.
The Polar Express program has been occurring for several years and between 75 and 100 guests attend. Mill Creek MetroParks donates winter gear to give to the children who may need a coat, hat, gloves and other winter items.
Halfway through the event, the children had the opportunity to sit with Santa Claus to get a picture and tell him their wish list. When the children finished up their visit with Santa, they received a free stuffed animal to take home.
The Polar Express event provides the families of Mahoning Valley ESC with the chance to enjoy social time, meet other families in the program and celebrate the holidays.