Brantford, ON - The annual Lansdowne Children's Centre children's holiday party is the most anticipated family engagement event of the year, with hundreds of client families eagerly registering to bring their loved ones through Lansdowne on Mount Pleasant Street in Brantford.
On December 8th the families of infants, children and youth who access services and support for special needs with Lansdowne were treated to games, crafts, presents and an opportunity to meet with Santa Claus for a photo, along with other holiday season friends that included Mrs. Claus, Rudolph and The Grinch.
The party was presented by Lansdowne in partnership with the Rotary Club of Brantford who has sponsored the event for many years. Rotarians continue to celebrate a grand tradition of entertaining and serving the children of Lansdowne in December, dating back to a time when pediatric special needs services were accessed at the Brantford General Hospital in 1960 and beyond.
Rotary Club president Eric Sterne was among the many volunteers who helped to deliver a holiday experience for well over 200 families who attended with children. Rotary's Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Oddi was particularly excited for his role, donning a blue fur costume and embracing an alter-ego and voice as he interacted with guests.
"I watched hours of Sesamee Street the day before to prepare. I have been excited for this for weeks,"
Said Oddi when he arrived to the hustle and bustle of party operations.
Amy Valletta, Executive Director of BGC Brantford (formerly Boys and Girls Club), was Rotary Liason to Lansdowne to help organize the event, and joined Rotarian Brenda Pascoe at the registration desk to warmly greet all who attended. Pascoe shared stories of past parties, and adventures she witnessed over decades of volunteering at Lansdowne.
"I can remember when we helped the kids make such a mess decorating cookies and cupcakes," shared Pascoe.
The children's holiday party event was reinvented after site closures in 2021, following a couple of years of outdoor drive-through events held at the Brantford Lights at Glenhyrst. The modern event is tour of the building that includes stops at game stations that this year included Olaf's Dress-Up Challenge, Moana's Holiday Adventure, and a Dance Party. The tour comes to an end at the North Pole where children and families can meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus for photo.
Gifts for children this year were provided by communtiy donors who gave at the local PetSmart on Henry Street in Brantford. The funds raised sponsored a donation of plush toys and so many were provided that most guests had their chocie of a reindeer, pig, dog, cow or other cute and cuddly pet stuffies. The animals made an earlier appearance at Lansdowne, exploring the services and supports (click here for more).
Lansdowne Children's Centre is grateful for the participation of Rotary Club of Brantford, Rotarians and families, all the volunteers and all the families who joined the fun to make the day magical.
