The Chicago District hosted its eighth annual combined branch Christmas Party on Saturday, December 3, 2011. With a total of 366 guests in attendance, branch members and their guests enjoyed great conversation with one another during the luncheon.
District Chaplain Sr. Antonia Klausner led the District in prayer and blessing before the meal. The members and their guests feasted on a variety of delicious foods including the traditional Slovak roasted pork and Italian pastries for dessert.
This year the District invited representatives from the Chicago area organizations that received donations from the FCSLA’s 40th National Convention. Invited representatives included: Dr. Charles C. Martinez, co-founder of Old Irving Park Community Clinic in Chicago; Fr. Daniel Brandt, Chicago Police Chaplain and a Director of the Police Chaplains Ministry of the Chicago Police Department; Sisters Janet and Marcella from St. Rose Center in Chicago; and Mary Pat Ambrosino, Executive Director of Southwest Community Services in Tinley Park.
Later in the program, the District sponsored its annual raffle. With a surprise visit from Santa, he guided the attending District Junior Members, who acted as prize runners, as they distributed the 167 raffle gifts to the winners.
Newly elected District President, Mary Therese Tylus stated, “As the event continues to grow in popularity, I look forward to maintaining its presence and increasing participation. It is such a wonderful time to renew old friendships, make new ones and oh, remind everyone of the wonderful FCSLA products!”
A special thank you goes out to Marge Krugley, who continues to support the festivities, the raffle prize shoppers Phil and Dolores Glomb and Helen and Joe Ledvora, Fay Hlubocky, “Santa”, as well as the entire District Board and Branch Officers for working so hard in making it such a memorable event.
Make sure to mark your calendar for next year’s party on Saturday, December 1, 2012 – same time, same place!
To view picture from this event, check out the Photo Gallery on the Chicago District Web site.
