GREENVILLE—Greenville American Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) was the scene of the annual Kids Christmas Party this past Saturday afternoon.
The VFW Boosters and Auxiliary hosted the event, which attracted 27 children, who were signed up ahead of time.
Children had to be accompanied by an adult and were to be present to receive a gift at the party, which was held from 2 to 4 p.m.
The party is open to children from newborn to age 10.
The youngsters were treated to crafts that were placed on the tables and snacks prior to the presentation of the gifts.
Those helping included Gary Obringer, Sue Schlechty, Deanna Buemi, Dave Cline, Carole Schafer and Robert Foster.
It was Buemi who helped make the gift-giving possible again this year. She has been doing it — purchasing and wrapping gifts — an estimated 10 years.
“I have always liked to shop and wrap,” said the former Deanna Kaugher of Union City. “I went by information I received on the children and, this year, I had gift suggestions. It was a challenge this year as toys are now more expensive.”
Deanna said it took her two hours to shop for all she needed at Wal-Mart and it took her three hours to wrap the gifts on Monday night before the party.
The 1990 Mississinawa Valley graduate also works at Doss Systems, where she is service manager, computer tech and everything else that needs to be done. She is also secretary/treasurer of the Boosters at the VFW.
“I have had as many as 50 children to buy before,” she said.
And, of course, the gifts were presented to the children by Mr. and Mrs. Claus who arrived shortly after the party began.
