The FCSLA Chicago Junior Branches and District kicked off their holiday season by co-sponsoring their eighth annual Junior Member Christmas Party on Sunday, November 4, 2018. The celebration once again was held at the Christian-based Camp Manitoqua and Retreat Center in Frankfort, Illinois with a total of 86 in attendance (Junior and Senior members and their guests).
The Junior members had a magical time and participated in decorating their own Santa hat, playing Hooligan (a dice game) for prizes, a game room, photo booth, dancing with a DJ, and kids’ raffle and Super Raffle. After a super lunch buffet, Svätý Mikuláš (St. Nicholas), Bishop in 4th Century Myra, Turkey arrived and had children work with him on a play. To end the celebration, children had the chance to win from over 45 raffle and super raffle prizes. Congratulations to our super prize winners: Katie Strache — pamper basket; Brook Ruane — curling iron; Patrick Gibson — Amazon Fire tablet; Erik Ebenau — drone with camera; Elizabeth Hirschbeck — mini sound bar; Jackson Satala — mini sphero robot; and Sarah Dehn — heated blanket.
This year the Junior members continued the tradition of sponsoring a community organization by serving the needs of our four-legged friends. Junior members were encouraged to donate badly needed items to the Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge. The generous donations of our junior members truly demonstrated that they have the spirit of goodwill in sharing with all God’s creatures!
This celebration was a huge success with many people volunteering their time and talents before and during the party. A special thank you to: Dr. Joyce Nugent-Hirschbeck, Jr. Christmas Party Committee Chair and her team: Doreen Poetzinger and Jeanette Palanca along with volunteers for the day, Barbara Schultz, Cameron Palanca and Rob Hirschbeck as St. Nicholas. A huge thank you to the following branches for donating cash or prizes for the raffles: Jr. 322, Jr. 339 and Jr. 382. Thank you to the following individuals who donated cash or prizes for the raffles and activities: Joyce Nugent Hirschbeck, Jeanette Palanca, Vi Nugent, Doreen Poetzinger, and Judy Tybor. This event would not be successful without the combined efforts of all of our wonderful branches and members.
Everyone in attendance had a wonderful time! Thank you to all who attended this celebration and made it such a very special day!
To view photos from this event, visit the Photo Gallery on the Chicago District Web site.
