2024 Festivities

The Rotary Club of Syracuse proudly welcomed the Syracuse City School District to their annual Christmas Party on December 10th at Drumlins. They thoughtfully selected 113 special needs children from 10 different schools. First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you goes out to the club members and volunteers who played a crucial role in both the planning process and on the day of the event; your support made this possible.

Please click here to view all photos.

The event commenced a bit behind schedule as we awaited the children's arrival. Club President Paul delivered opening remarks before introducing our master of ceremonies, news personality Megan Coleman, who outlined the party's festivities, including face painting, balloon art, and characters like Cookie Monster and Elmo. This joyful celebration took place during a kid-friendly lunch. After the meal, we concluded the event with a gift giveaway, ensuring each child received an item from their wish list. Santa, who arrived from the North Pole, took photos with the children selected in advance.

The event received media attention from both CNYCENTRAL (Channel 3) and LOCALSYR (Channel 9), featuring coverage during local newscasts. They interviewed past president Dan Morrow, who shared insights about the event's history and provided excellent representation.

In closing, I want to extend my gratitude to my fellow Rotarians for the opportunity to co-chair and organize such a wonderful event. As I have mentioned before, initiatives like this resonate with me, given my Cerebral Palsy disability, allowing me to contribute meaningfully with minimal assistance. It brings me immense joy to witness the happiness of the children.

Sincerely, 

Chad Norton 

Christmas Party Co-chair.