2023 Festivities

December 1: Santa Clause took a rare break from supervising his workshop and checking his “Naughty-or-Nice” list to assist the Rotary Club of Syracuse in spreading joy to over fifty special-education students from Syracuse-area City Schools. 

Club president, Andy Anderson, kicked off the event by thanking a long list of Rotarians and non-Rotarians for their efforts to make the annual occasion a special one for the kids.

A buffet lunch was served by Rotarians and friends, who dished out mac-n-cheese, hot dogs, hamburgers, and pizza slices, the staples of any seven year-old’s diet. Kids lined up for their own balloon Santa's and reindeer, hand made, by request, by the Balloon-man, Patrick Dermody, while others waited to have their cheeks painted by a real fairy princess. 

A magician’s amazing slight of hand mesmerized everyone before the Cookie Monster and Batman made appearances later in the afternoon. Soon, it was time for the man himself to make his long-awaited entrance, all the way from the North Pole to Drumlins in Syracuse. Upon his arrival with a hearty round of Ho-Ho-Ho’s, dozens of kids surrounded the red-suited Santa.

It was learned afterwards that Santa had experienced sleigh trouble earlier in the day, but he was able to repair a broken flux capacitor and make up lost time by warping through the space-time continuum by way of Toledo.

With the help of name translator, Bill Norton, each and every kid was called up to receive their wrapped gift from Santa. Syracuse Rotarian, Chad Norton, made the whole experience a memorable one for these kids because of his outstanding work to organize the event, buy and wrap each present, and demonstrate true Service-Above-Self. Because of his dedication, each child opened a present which they had specifically asked for.

Syracuse Rotary has held their annual Christmas party every year since 1912, taking a break during COVID, of course. Club members found it imperative to ressurect the party and Chad Norton stepped up to the plate — BIG TIME! In addition to their gift from Santa, each child also received a winter hat, gloves, a scarf and a dictionary. The event was funded and made possible by the Rotary Club of Syracuse, outside volunteers, vendors, and Drumlins Country Club. Thank you all, Happy Holidays and hope to see you next year.