Dec 23, 2024 | Boys & Girls Club Christmas Party, News, Photos, Programs
On Saturday, December 14th, the Kiwanis Club hosted their annual Children’s Christmas Party at the Volunteers of America facility in Harbor City. The event brought holiday joy to forty underserved children from local elementary schools, providing them with a memorable and uplifting experience.
The festivities began with a creative session where the children enthusiastically crafted personalized Christmas ornaments. Joan Davidson, a dedicated Kiwanis member, guided the activity and took a moment to emphasize a heartwarming lesson. She explained that the ornaments were not just for the children to keep but also a token of appreciation to give back in celebration of the joy and gifts they were about to receive. Members of the Kiwanis Club, alongside energetic high school students from the Key Club, supported the children throughout the activity, ensuring it was both meaningful and enjoyable.
Following the crafting session, the children were treated to a festive meal featuring a delightful spread of pizza and fried chicken. The room buzzed with excitement as the young participants enjoyed their feast, eagerly awaiting the highlight of the day: Santa’s grand entrance.
The joyous moment arrived with the sound of bells and a resounding “Ho, ho, ho!” as Santa Claus entered the room. The children’s faces lit up with wonder and excitement as Santa distributed carefully chosen gifts tailored to bring smiles to each child. Playing the role of Santa was none other than Steve Makshanoff, president of the Kiwanis Club of Rolling Hills Estates. Donning the iconic red suit, Santa Steve brought warmth, cheer, and laughter, making the occasion even more magical.
This was not just a simple gift-giving event. In a thoughtful twist, Santa Steve engaged each child, asking them what they planned to do in return for their gift. The message was clear: the gifts symbolized more than holiday generosity—they were a reward, encouraging the children to reflect on how they could give back or pay the kindness forward.
The Kiwanis Club’s Children’s Christmas Party was a beautiful reminder of the holiday spirit, fostering joy, gratitude, and community. Through thoughtful activities and meaningful interactions, the event created cherished memories for the children and everyone involved.
Dec 27, 2023 | Boys & Girls Club Christmas Party, News, Photos, Programs
On December 9th, the spirit of Christmas came alive at a special Children’s Christmas Party at the Boys and Girls Club in Harbor City. Fifty children from the Boys and Girls Club and the Volunteers of America participated in the program. The event was not just about festive decorations and Santa Claus, it was a heartwarming celebration that emphasized the joy of giving and the spirit of community.
Santa was none other than Steve Makshanoff, the president of Kiwanis Club of Rolling Hills Estates. Dressed in the iconic red suit, Santa Steve spread warmth and holiday cheer as he led the festivities, making the event even more special for the excited children.
Members and enthusiastic Key Club high school students joined forces to ensure the children had an unforgettable experience. Together, they created a festive atmosphere filled with laughter, joy, and the true spirit of Christmas.
The program kicked off with a creative session where the children crafted a personalized Christmas ornament, not just for themselves but also as a gift to give back in return for the anticipated visit from Santa. This thoughtful gesture set the tone for the day, emphasizing the joy of both giving and receiving.
After the creative session, the children gathered for a festive feast. The menu featured a delightful combination of pizza and fried chicken.
As the children finished their meals, the anticipation reached its peak with Santa’s arrival, complete with bells ringing and a hearty “Ho, ho, ho!” The children’s faces lit up with excitement as Santa distributed gifts, each carefully selected to bring a smile to every young face.
However, this was not just a typical gift-giving session. Joan Davidson, a Kiwanis member, took a moment to explain the significance of the gifts. She conveyed that these presents were not merely handouts but were earned by the children through acts of kindness. Santa Steve, in a heartwarming twist, asked each child what they planned to do in return for their gift. The message was clear: the joy of Christmas is magnified when it is shared and reciprocated.
The Children’s Christmas Party on December 9th was more than just a festive gathering; it was a celebration of generosity, community spirit, and the joy of giving. Through creative activities, shared meals, and thoughtful gift exchanges, the event succeeded in instilling valuable lessons about the true meaning of Christmas. As the children left with smiles on their faces and hearts filled with warmth, it was evident that this holiday celebration had created memories that would last a lifetime.
Dec 13, 2022 | Boys & Girls Club Christmas Party, News, Programs
The annual children’s Christmas party was held on December 10th at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club in Harbor City. Fifty children from the Boy’s and Girl’s Club, and from Volunteers of America participated in the event.
The children started off the party with coloring in pictures with crayons on a canvas. After completing the project the children had lunch of chicken and pizza.
After lunch the children gathered around and waited for Santa Claus to arrive. The children welcomed Santa as he came in from the North Pole. Each child was able to meet with Santa and receive a Christmas present.
After all the children received their presents they opened them as a group. On leaving they also received a project that they could complete at home.
What a great way to start the holiday season, making children happy.
Jun 16, 2020 | Boys & Girls Club Christmas Party, News, Photos, Programs
Kiwanis Club of RHE Scholarship Awards
June 7, 2020
Dear Karina, Yesenia, Diana and Eduardo,
There are no adequate words to acknowledge the work you do every day to support the young people in our community. The Kiwanis Club of Rolling Hills Estates previously has recognized the importance of the Boys and Girls Club’s support for children and young people, but this year your impact is even more visible.
In the absence of a scholarship luncheon, I asked the students to identify the people they would like to acknowledge on their Kiwanis celebration slide. You will find an overwhelming B&GC presence in the attached slide presentation.
You, and the mentors you recruit, are amazingly effective in guiding students who face so many adversities to become talented, positive and forward-thinking individuals with a vision of improving the lives of others. The bottom line: you create miracles every day!
Although we cannot meet in person at this time, I look forward to our continued communication and collaboration on behalf of the young people in our community. Please feel to contact me at any time ([email protected], or [email protected]).
On behalf of the Scholarship Committee and all the members of the Kiwanis Club of Rolling Hills Estates, I want to express our deep gratitude to you for joining us in this year’s celebration of our youth.
Sincerely,
Joyce Campbell
Joyce Campbell, PhD, PT, Chair
Scholarship Committee
Kiwanis Club of Rolling Hills Estates
Dec 8, 2019 | Boys & Girls Club Christmas Party, Programs
On Saturday, December 7th, the Kiwanis Club of Rolling Hills Estates held their annual children’s Christmas party at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the South Bay in Harbor City. Fifty children from low socioeconomic families attended the event. The children, grades 1 and 2, were selected from the Boys and Girls Club and Volunteers of America.
Although each child received a gift, the theme of the party was, it was better to give than to receive. Before the gift giving and to reinforce the theme, each child made two tree ornaments, one to give as gift. This year’s project was a Christmas bell and an angel.
Before lunch of pizza and fried chicken, the children participated in a series of games.
Of course the highlight of the party was the arrival of Santa Claus. Santa introduced Mrs. Claus and his helper elf. As each child received his or her gift Santa asked them what they were going to do in return for the gift. Mrs. Claus gave each child a candy cane.
Supporting Santa and Mrs. Claus were Kiwanis members, Key Club and KIWINS students from Peninsula and Palos Verdes High School.
Dec 12, 2017 | Boys & Girls Club Christmas Party, News, Programs
On December 9th the Kiwanis Club of Rolling Hills Estates held their annual Christmas party at the Boys and Girls Club in Harbor City. Fifty children from the Boys and Girls Club and Volunteers of America participated in the event. Ken Dyda, City Councilman of Rancho Palos Verdes and past mayor acted as Santa Claus.
In keeping with the Kiwanis Club mission of giving the children a hand up and not a hand out, and to instill this in the children at this early age, presents were constructed as a gift for their families as part of the program.
Prior to receiving their gifts the children were treated to a lunch of pizza and fried chicken.
Supporting the program were Key Club high school students from Peninsula and Palos Verdes High.
