Number of Participants: 10
Hours Donated: 4
Value of Time Served: $338
Event Type: Children & Youth
Sport: Team
Date: December 6, 2021
Location:
Merrick
NY, USA
About:
With the help and partnership of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District and the Community Cupboard, the Bellmore Lion’s Club once again arranged for its annual Polar Express in and around the administrative building’s auditorium in North Merrick.
The Lions Club Holiday Polar Express event for children is a free event and in years past, the Lions have hosted close to 750 children. The Lions Club, as well as the Bellmore-Merrick school community has been preparing for the event for months.
The school communities collected toy and gift card donations, the CHAMP (culinary arts and hospitality) program baked and decorated 500 cookies, and volunteered at the Dec. 4 event.
This annual event takes places under the direction and guidance of Lion Past District Governor, Nina Lanci, who has chaired the event for the past seven years.
“There are families who were struggling in our area before the pandemic just to put food on their table every day, and now, with so many families hit hard by Covid, this event has become even more important,” stated Lanci, who also serves as a member of the North Bellmore and Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District school boards. “This day also gives their parents, many who are now out of work or others who are working two and three jobs just to support their family, the components necessary to make their child’s holiday a happy one. You can’t put a dollar amount on that.
Photo captions:
- With the help and partnership of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District and the Community Cupboard, the Bellmore Lion’s Club once again arranged for its annual Polar Express in and around the Brookside auditorium
- Local politicians and student volunteers at the Polar Express event.
- Event chair and Lion’s Club member Nina Lanci addressed attendees.
- Even Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance at the Polar Exprss holiday party.
- Students from the district’s CHAMP (culinary arts and hospitality) program baked 500 cookies for the Polar Express holiday party.
Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
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