Rotary annual Christmas party for kids

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Christmas came early today for a special group of kids in Zanesville.

The Noon Rotary Club held its annual Christmas Party for kids at Adornetto’s. The party was complete with pizza, music, cookies, and of course gifts delivered by Santa himself.

“This event is so old and so well established that Santa Claus personally has this on his iPhone and he personally schedules this,” said Don Mason, President of Noon Rotary. “We arranged it way in advance. We work around him. And it’s a great symbiotic relationship between Santa Claus and Rotary Club.”

There were 40 children from the Zanesville School area present for the party. Each child received a bag of gifts with items they specifically asked for. Mason Satta, a third grader, said Santa brought him what he wanted: army men and legos. Satta said he plans on going home and playing with his new toys with his younger brother.

“I don’t even know how to build this but I think that looks easy to build.”

Mason said this event is important because it gives children an opportunity to have a Christmas celebration that they may not be able to have otherwise.

“Many of our children don’t have all the same advantages of others and we like to create a little bit of excitement for them so we help them by having a little Christmas – a pre-Christmas – party for them.”

Mason went on to say that the kids enjoy the party each year and the looks on the kids faces when they receive their gifts makes all of the Club’s hard work worth it.

“Kids are laughing. Some cry because they’re so happy. Especially when they open their presents.”

Rotary’s 12 days of Christmas raffle begins tomorrow and helps support events such as the Christmas party.