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Children's Santa Breakfast
Prepared by Katrina Fisler, YLC Chairperson, November 28, 2005
News Release for the 2005 Children’s Christmas Project
Woodbury, New Jersey - December, 2005. It is told that Santa’s helpers have set up a local workshop here in Gloucester County. Reliable sources confirm this story is true. The workshop, set up to benefit local foster and similarly situated children, was inspired by a similar project in Cumberland County. Organized by the Young Lawyers’ Committee with the support of the Gloucester County Bar Association in conjunction with the efforts of the Gloucester County Bar Foundation, the fourth annual Children’s Holiday project is underway. President of the Gloucester County Bar Association John DeSimone indicates, “This event, which started four years ago, involves a tremendous amount of time and commitment from attorneys in Gloucester County. It brings both the association and foundation together in recognizing very important citizens of our community.”
This project benefits children of all ages (from birth through age 18) who have been placed in foster care or adoptive care and like situations. The number of children changes every year and ranges from 200 to 230. Presently, the number of responding children is at 218 and is expected to rise. Of course, to handle the large number, Santa’s helpers must begin their work early in the year planning for the magical event that takes place on a Saturday morning in December. As early as January, a new plan is sketched out for the following year’s event.
So what are Santa’s helpers up to at this point? They are reviewing wish lists, of course. The wish lists are provided by the Foster and Adoptive Parents Association, an organization committed to the needs of local foster and adoptive children and their families. All wishes are recorded on a master list that is used in matching gifts for each child. Each year, Matt Blatt Auto of Glassboro generously donates funds to ensure each child receives a hand-selected gift. Shopping takes place in early December when members of the Young Lawyers Committee work together with employees of the Turnersville WalMart to match gifts for the children. The Gloucester County Bar Foundation also provides funding to meet certain wishes that might not be available at WalMart. Some of the major contributors in the past have been Sam’s Club and local law firms.
Just what are the children wishing for today? There seems to be a lot of requests for Bratz dolls, Batman figures, and portable CD players. Young Lawyer Chair Katrina Fisler comments, “As Santa’s helpers, we know we have an important job. If some extra effort might offer more cheer for a child who faced particular challenges over the year, we remain committed to that goal. Oftentimes, that undertaking will have a positive impact on the child, perhaps an enjoyable diversion or a needed outlet.”
Shortly after matching gifts, local lawyers, judges, family members, and others affiliated with the legal community join together for a wrapping party to sort and wrap the hundreds of gifts. The gifts are then bagged and double-checked to ensure each wish is matched. The workshop location changes each year as a different law firm hosts the wrapping party. In years past, law firms including Holston, MacDonald, Uzdavinis, Eastlack & Zeigler, P.A., Brown & Connery, L.L.P., and Becker & Duffield have hosted the events. This year, the wrapping party will be held at Rabil, Ropka, Kingett & Hatzell, L.L.C. on Fries Mill Road in Washington Township on the eve of December 8, 2005.
The big event, generously funded by the Gloucester County Bar Foundation, is held at Adelphia’s Restaurant where all the children and their guardians are invited to a delicious buffet breakfast. Adelphia’s offers the buffet at mere cost while providing fine service in a spacious forum, the elegant ball-room (seating up to 400 people). Once again, the Adelphia’s ballroom facility has been reserved for the Santa Breakfast on Saturday, December 10, 2005 from 10:00a.m. (two hours earlier than normal working hours) to 1:00pm. The buffet will be left open for the duration and will include: pancakes, french toast sticks, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries, bagels & cream cheese, mini danish, muffins, orange juice, coffee, and tea.
Santa Claus, played by Judge John Tomasello, and Mrs. Claus, played by an anonymous local judge, are due to arrive upon seating. They will be welcomed as the West Deptford High School Madrigals Choir, an exceptionally-talented choir, shares a holiday performance. The Foster and Adoptive Parents Association offers a dedicated parent who provides DJ entertainment for the balance of the event. Special guests this year include the Philadelphia Phillies Phanatic, the local Cunard Clowns, and our own local Chuck E. Cheese, all of whom will be assisted by dedicated volunteer attorneys. “I volunteer for the Christmas project because I enjoy seeing the happy faces of the children and the contentment knowing I contributed to making a small difference in a child’s life even if it’s only for a couple of hours on one joyous morning,” says local attorney, Patricia Antonelli, who dresses as an elf year after year.
The event promises to be magical for the children once again! “The looks on the children's faces say it all,” remarks local attorney and event coordinator John Moustakas.” After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about!
To learn more about the Young Lawyers’ Committee, visit our website at http://www.gcbanj.org/ylc.htm.