Annual Children’s Holiday Party a Huge Success in Tecopa CA: 12/14/06

Forty four children recently got a head start with Santa at Tecopa’s annual Children’s Holiday Party, when the Man in Red showed up ten days earlier than expected.  Excited faces were glowing, and gift wrap flew through the air.

Apparently, Santa’s reindeer team was at the veterinarian’s for a final checkup before next week’s arduous workout.  But as they do in every crisis, the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District stepped up, and delivered Santa to the Party, red lights and siren blazing.

Children attending ranged in age from five months old to nineteen years.  Most were delivered by bus from the Death Valley Unified School District.  After a delicious meal of Mafia Mike’s Pizza and Cranberry Punch, everyone added their personal message to the 16 foot Peace on Earth Banner and tried their gift-making talents at IMACA’s craft table. 

Gifts and candy bags were distributed to every child by Santa, with home delivery arrangements made for 29 more.  In addition to year-round residents, Santa wanted to make sure he had the right address for many children visiting non-custodial parents for the holidays.

Many thanks to the Loving Elves who made this year’s Children’s Holiday Party possible:  Mafia Mike’s Pizza, Hummingbird Family Resources, F.O.O.D., IMACA, the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District and Auxiliary, Tecopa Hot Springs Resort, CLM Tecopa Hot Springs Park, Delight’s Hot Springs Resort, Tecopa Palms RV Park, Desert Oasis Chiropractic and Massage, the Shoshone Museum, Café C’est Si Bon, Supervisor Richard Cervantes, Frank King, Susan Sorrells, Inyo Co. Road Dept. staff, Kathy Nixon, Glynn Hazlett, Paul Postle, Richard Shad, John Muccio, Debbie and Vic Lopez, Ila Ross, John Stevens, Dominic Daileda, Jeanne Vance, Papa and Mama Bear, Jennifer Viereck, Anita Wiswell, Judy Stott, Terri Stevenson, Paul Messenger, Linda Cooper, Nico and Lisa, P.M.K., P.W.H., Steve and Sandy McNeal, Nancy Twyford, Sylvia and Bob Allen, Hawk, Robin and Fledge, Clay Matthews, Rona Grant, J.R., and Dr. and Mrs. Zeravica.  Donations were also offered in memory of Larry Tudor, Lorena Rennison, and Vida Davis.