Holiday Spectacular
By Jay Turner
A curious little one waves to the reindeer. (Moira Sweetland photo)
The spirit of the holiday season and the Canton Catholic youth ministry’s passion for service were both profoundly felt at St. Oscar Romero Parish last Sunday as the church held its first ever Holiday Spectacular in conjunction with several area homeless shelters.
More than 250 families from six shelters came to Canton for the event, which was modeled after the annual “Christmas in the City” holiday extravaganza that is typically held every December in Boston. While that party was canceled this year due to COVID, Canton’s youth ministry, which has been a key supporter and partner of Christmas in the City over several decades, received both supplies and logistical help this year from the nonprofit behind the event.
According to Teagan Radovsky, a Canton High School senior and an active member of the youth ministry, planning and organizing the Holiday Spectacular was a huge undertaking, but the event itself proved to be a “huge success.”
In addition to having a buffet meal prepared by community volunteers, guests at the event enjoyed pony rides, face painting, a magic show, and a touch-a-truck courtesy of the Canton Police and Fire departments and Pat Gibbs landscaping. “The kids all had a great,” said Radovsky. “It was a pretty full, immersive experience.”
Santa Claus also made an appearance at the event to help hand out presents, and every guest, both children and adults, received an individualized gift thanks in large part to the hard work, coordination and generosity of Britta Reissfelder, a local realtor.
Radovsky said there were “tons” of volunteers who participated at the event itself, and countless others were involved in the planning and preparation of this year’s Holiday Spectacular.
“We had families from across the town bringing stuff, and a lot of college kids came back to lend a helping hand,” he said. “Overall, we had a ton of support from the community and it definitely would not have been possible without it.”
The planning committee for the St. Oscar Romero Holiday Spectacular consisted of Billy DeLello, Sierra Abbott, Danielle Seaman, Griffin Hughes, Mike Mahan, Kelsie Aufiero, Brianna Whelan, Britta Reissfelder, Javier Hurtado Grandon, Jim and Karen D’Amico, and Kristen (DeSisto) Lord.
Community volunteers and donors included Select Board member Lisa Lopez, Britta Reissfelder Group from Coldwell Banker Realty, Frank Rotella of Frank and Vinny’s Barbershop, Canton Fire and Police, Pat Gibbs Landscape & Construction, Michael Charles Magic, and Canton Boy Scouts, along with a number of Canton families who donated food and supplies.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=79094
Posted by Jay Turner
on Dec 24 2021. Filed under Uncategorized.
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