True to its name, the December 2009 WBFN Children’s Holiday Party, themed a “A Winter Wonderland,” was celebrated amidst a backdrop of beautiful snowfall in the DC Metro area that could be seen through the panoramic glass wall of the MC atrium. Handmade paper snowflakes, beautifully decorated holiday trees, snowmen, bright red poinsettias, and nutcracker toy soldiers welcomed guests as they entered the atrium.

For the children, there was an array of exciting and festive activities. The craft tables, all manned by wonderful volunteers from our own WB families, provided the children with the opportunity to make their own key chains, holiday wish lists, festive masks, and holiday cards. There were also beauty care services provided at the nail painting and tattooing station. The most popular activity again this year was at the face-painting table where our kids were transformed into brave action heroes and graceful butterflies.

At the far corner of the atrium, many game stations were set up, there were darts whirling through the air at the “Daring Darts” station, cans clanging after being knocked over in the “Big Time Bowling” game, and blindfolded folks trying to “pin the nose on the snowman.”

For those more into music and dancing, the band “Alex and the Kaleidescopes,” provided award winning entertainment. The younger children jumped up and down to Alex’s “Boing, boing, boing, goes the Kangaroo,” and twisted to his holiday version of the timeless dance known as the “Twist.” There were plenty of parents also swaying to these tunes!

What would a Holiday Party be without food? So…lip smacking good food was also there! Guests enjoyed a range of “finger licking” snacks ranging from panettone (traditional Italian holiday raisin bread) to several types of cheeses, brownies, holiday cookies, cakes, dried fruit, muffins, juices and sweet-smelling, bright orange clementines.

While they ate and listened to Alex’s happy holiday tunes, guests joined the contest in hope of winning the first prize “Wii” console system. When it was time to announce the winners the parents and children eagerly gathered in front of the stairs waiting to see if their names would be called. Fourlucky winners were picked and awarded the prized gifts. Proceeds from both the children’s entry fees and the contest were donated to the Children’s Law Center, a nonprofit organization that provides free legal services to children, families and foster caregivers in the District of Columbia.

Finally, to round off the afternoon, the children were visited by the most beloved holiday personality, Santa himself! Santa’s arrival brought a big smile on the faces of all the kids and adults alike. There was a renewed joie de vivre as they lined up patiently awaiting their turn to get a picture with Santa. Even the WBFN volunteers enthusiastically posed for a picture with Santa!

The party was a great success and the credit goes entirely to the volunteers who under the able guidance of Aminata Bojang did their bit to make this event a winner. A little imagination, lots of creativity, marvelous decoration, delicious food, intriguing activity stalls, enjoyable show, untiring volunteers, meticulous planning and hours of work, was all it took to pull off this Children’s Holiday Party! Surely, it was no small feat!

When the snow tapered off toward the late evening and the Children’s Holiday Party came to a close, there was a feeling of fulfillment that filled the hearts of everyone present at the atrium. As the guests departed for the night and the volunteers enthusiastically set about dismantling the decorations and packing them in big boxes for next year my thoughts were, “ Indeed, this is no small feat!”

Children’s Law Center’s Adopt-a-Family Holiday Gift Drive

We thought you might like to know a little about the children who benefited from the WBFN Children’s Holiday Party fundraiser held in December. All are clients of Children’s Law Center (CLC) in Washington, DC (www.childrenslawcenter.org). Many of CLC’s children struggle with

poverty each and every day and their families do not have the means to celebrate or buy gifts. We hope that our gifts of $200 to each enhanced their joy and experience of the holiday season. To all who contributed, please know that your generosity was appreciated.

The World Bank “adopted” 10 children for the holidays. Three teenagers – ages 11, 17 and 18 – who live with their grandmother; a 17 year old who has been living with his foster mother since 2005; another family with three teenagers – all boys ages 15, 16 and 17 — one of whom is autistic and another with significant learning disabilities, and; a single mother with two boys, ages 19 and 17, who were struggling academically.

WBFN received this special message from the Children’s Law Center to the WBG families:

“Children’s Law Center provides free legal services to each of these families – and hundreds of others – to ensure that they each have safe homes, meaningful educations and healthy minds and bodies.

This year has been especially tough on the smallest DC residents – our children. One-third of DC’s children still live in poverty. Abuse, neglect and domestic violence are increasing, and there are fewer and fewer places to turn for help. East of the Anacostia River, the unemployment rate is 30%. Working families live paycheck to paycheck.

As the largest free legal services provider in the District, Children’s Law Center fights day in and day out for DC’s neediest children. This year alone Children’s Law Center attorneys directly helped 1,192 children – and impacted thousands more through advice, training and advocating for policy solutions city-wide.

The support of the World Bank makes a real difference. Your gifts give these children joy – at a time when they might not otherwise be celebrating. Thank you!”

We thank Saint Michel’s Bakery for donating mini croissants and pains au chocolat for all the children to enjoy during the WBFN Children’s Holiday Party. Saint Michel’s Bakery sent us an interesting story about the French tradition, La Galette des Rois.