Programs - Children's Christmas Party
Kiwanis Club
of Tampa
of Tampa
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In October of each year, the Club compiles a list of schools (37 last year) in the Tampa area which
have the greatest percentage of needy and underprivileged children enrolled. The list is then submitted
to the Superintendent of Schools for approval, and after receiving that approval, invitations are sent to
the schools.
Each school is asked to select FOUR children from their school who they feel are not only very needy,
but also deserving -- kids who are well behaved and try to do as best as they can despite the odds
against them. Their reward is an invitation to the party. The schools complete a questionnaire about
the six children, providing us with their age, race, sex, clothing sizes, and the children's gift wishes.
As the invitations return, the schools -- and each child individually -- are assigned a number which will
identify them for all paperwork and gift distribution. Each child is then given a "sponsor." This is
where our "volunteer sponsors" become our saving angels! We have 147 children to assign, and do not
have enough club members to assign as sponsors.
As a volunteer sponsor, you are asked to try to fulfill your child's gift wish. Our members are
encouraged to spend at least $40, but each sponsor is under no obligation and may spend what they
feel is appropriate. If a sponsor wishes to surprise the child with something in addition to the gift
they asked for, that is up to the individual sponsor. The Club also provides clothing, a child's bible,
fruit, candy, a new five dollar bill, and other small items in a "goodie bag."
On the day of the party, each sponsor locates his or her child and joins them for lunch (basic kids'
food! -- burgers etc.). During lunch songs are sung and then Santa makes a grand entrance into the
ballroom. Finally, the Kiwanis members will help to distribute all the gifts to the children and chaos
generally follows!
Some of these children are homeless. Many of these children come from one-parent families who live
on public assistance. Often the parents are substance abusers. Some of the children live with foster
families, grandparents or other relatives because they were abandoned. Some have physical or
emotional handicaps. All come from very poor families, and many do not receive any Christmas
presents except the ones they receive at the Kiwanis Christmas Party.
Your kindness and generosity will show them that someone DOES care. You will see it in their smiles
and in their eyes. You will be their hero that day. We sincerely thank you and wish you and your
own family a holiday of peace, love, and happiness
have the greatest percentage of needy and underprivileged children enrolled. The list is then submitted
to the Superintendent of Schools for approval, and after receiving that approval, invitations are sent to
the schools.
Each school is asked to select FOUR children from their school who they feel are not only very needy,
but also deserving -- kids who are well behaved and try to do as best as they can despite the odds
against them. Their reward is an invitation to the party. The schools complete a questionnaire about
the six children, providing us with their age, race, sex, clothing sizes, and the children's gift wishes.
As the invitations return, the schools -- and each child individually -- are assigned a number which will
identify them for all paperwork and gift distribution. Each child is then given a "sponsor." This is
where our "volunteer sponsors" become our saving angels! We have 147 children to assign, and do not
have enough club members to assign as sponsors.
As a volunteer sponsor, you are asked to try to fulfill your child's gift wish. Our members are
encouraged to spend at least $40, but each sponsor is under no obligation and may spend what they
feel is appropriate. If a sponsor wishes to surprise the child with something in addition to the gift
they asked for, that is up to the individual sponsor. The Club also provides clothing, a child's bible,
fruit, candy, a new five dollar bill, and other small items in a "goodie bag."
On the day of the party, each sponsor locates his or her child and joins them for lunch (basic kids'
food! -- burgers etc.). During lunch songs are sung and then Santa makes a grand entrance into the
ballroom. Finally, the Kiwanis members will help to distribute all the gifts to the children and chaos
generally follows!
Some of these children are homeless. Many of these children come from one-parent families who live
on public assistance. Often the parents are substance abusers. Some of the children live with foster
families, grandparents or other relatives because they were abandoned. Some have physical or
emotional handicaps. All come from very poor families, and many do not receive any Christmas
presents except the ones they receive at the Kiwanis Christmas Party.
Your kindness and generosity will show them that someone DOES care. You will see it in their smiles
and in their eyes. You will be their hero that day. We sincerely thank you and wish you and your
own family a holiday of peace, love, and happiness
Everyone seemed very happy and jolly at the Annual Children's Christmas Party. There are
137 schools, 4 students from each school that participate in this special program.
137 schools, 4 students from each school that participate in this special program.