The FCSLA Chicago area Junior Branches and the Chicago District kicked off their holiday season by co-sponsoring their seventh annual Junior Member Christmas Party on Sunday, November 5, 2017. The celebration was held once again at the Christian-based Camp Manitoqua and Retreat Center in Frankfort, Illinois with a total of 115 in attendance (Junior and Senior members and their guests). The Junior members had a magical time and participated in decorating their own Santa hat, coloring pictures, playing Hooligan (a dice game) for prizes, a game room, photo booth, dancing with a DJ, kids’ raffle and Super Raffle. After lunch, Svätý Mikuláš (St. Nicholas), Bishop in 4th Century Myra, Turkey arrived telling the children stories and posing not only for the traditional group photo but individual photos as well.
To end the celebration, children had the chance to win from over 60 raffle prizes and many super raffle prices. Winners of the super raffle prizes were: Jessilyn Gibas (S421) – Beats Headphones; Richard Lehocky (S485/J382) – Electric Keyboard; Grayson Tholl (J370) – Child’s Motorized Dune Buggy; Peggy Plank (S258) — Christmas Wreath; Cameron Palanca (S258) – St. Nick Statue, SmartWatch and $40 Apple Gift Card; Dr. Joyce Nugent-Hirschbeck (S258) – St. Nick Statue; Karen Strache (S421) – SmartWatch; Joyce Kelly (S287) — $50 Netflix Gift Card; and Kim Bruining (S421) — $40 Bath & Body Works Gift Card.
The tradition of sponsoring a community organization continued with Junior members being encouraged-to donate non-perishable foods for adults with severe mental illness from ACCESS Behavorial Health/a division of CTF Illinois in South Holland, Illinois. The donations were overwhelming and our junior members truly demonstrated the spirit of generosity and goodwill in sharing with those who are less fortunate and in need.
A special thank you to Dr. Joyce Nugent-Hirschbeck, this year’s Jr. Christmas Party Committee Chair and her Co-Chair, Jeanette Palanca and their team of junior and senior member elves for all their hard work and preparation in making this event another great success. A huge thank you to the following branches and individuals who donated cash or prizes for the two raffles: J106, J339, J322, J96, S258, Lorraine Gibas, Dr. Joyce Nugent-Hirschbeck, Jeanette Palanca, Rosemary Mlinarich, Vi Nugent, Lynda Schoeberth, Doreen Poetzinger, Judy Tybor-Kinzner, Janice Mager and Gary Ledvora.
The children, their parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents had a wonderful time and all are looking forward to next year’s party and another visit from Svätý Mikuláš (St. Nicholas)!
To view photos from this event, visit the Photo Gallery on the Chicago District Web site.
