Chapter Holds Grand Christmas Celebration
Toys-4-Tots Program Offers Area Youngsters a Happy Holiday Season
New York/New Jersey Chapter Members enjoyed a grand holiday program at the Chapter’s annual Christmas celebration.
The event was held at the Fiesta in Wood-Ridge on December 3, 2013. Chapter Members joined a long line of Chapter
Past Presidents to welcome in the Christmas season. The program was packed with holiday joy and merriment, endless
food and drink, holiday karaoke and the traditional visit from Santa!
Chapter President Maureen Kalena (c.) and Past Chapter President Grace Cruz-Beyer introduced Santa.
A 'parade' of Past Chapter presidents were introduced as part of the traditional Holiday ceremony.
Perhaps area youngsters were the greatest benefactors of the event. In conjunction with the "Toys-4-Tots"
Program, Members and guests were asked to contribute unwrapped toys for distribution to disadvantaged children. The
endless "bounty" of gifts received was a testament to the strong Member response to the Chapter’s annual
participation in the program.
The festive evening began with a gala cocktail hour where Members and guests enjoyed wine and spirits along with an
array of incredible hot and cold selections served from an assortment of carving stations as well as seafood, pasta
and fruit. Members and guests then feasted on a sumptuous full course dinner featuring surf and turf or gourmet chicken.
Past President Cindi Rand offered a champagne toast to begin the “formal” Holiday program. Chapter President Maureen Kalena
presided over the traditional introduction of the more than XX Chapter Past Presidents on hand for the festive occasion.
Members and guests from each table “competed” in a karaoke Christmas “concert” to welcome in the Holiday season. Vocal
renditions by the staffs from Columbia Bank, Bogota Savings and Kearny Federal highlighted the program.
Each Chapter Christmas celebration has long featured a visit from Santa Claus. The rumors that the REAL Santa had officially
retired were officially dashed when the King of Christmas arrived just before Members were about to enjoy the massive "
buffet of desserts". We have the photos to prove it!
The Chapter's Holiday Celebration offers the opportunity for Members to enjoy musical entertainment, caroling, karaoke,
as well as great food and fun. Make your plans now to join us next year for another wonderful Holiday experience!
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Members donated a virtual mountain of gifts as part of the Chapter's 'Toys 4 Tots' initiative.
Members continued the Chapter's long tradition of performing karaoke Christmas carols.
The Columbia Bank 'choir' performed a Holiday song.