Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Santa Claus, LVCC Toys for Tots, Marty Castro, Cristo Rey Helpers, Rotary Club of Little Village, Flu Shots, Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas

          SANTA’S VISIT: Santa Claus made his way to the Little Village community Sunday, Dec. 15,
Santa Claus aka Tony Ayala
2013 to visit and give presents to more than 350 children. The holiday annual event was held at the Little Village Community Council office, 3610 W. 26th St. from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. LVCC adopted the Toys for Tots Chicagoland Motorcycle Clubs motto of “Every child deserves a toy at Christmas time.”
 
          SANTA GREETED everyone with a “Ho Ho Ho’; speaking to the children and parents in English and Spanish, and wishing them all a Feliz Navidad. Every child in the room was excited and happy to see Santa Claus. A four-year-old boy was so excited when he saw Santa he immediately raised his hand and shouted “Hi Santa! Hi Santa!” of course Santa, with a huge smile, said “Hello there!” Several parents took photographs of their child on top of Santa’s lap.
Anxiously wanting his gift.
August Sallas, Santa, Marty Castro
           THERE WERE only two small tots who cried when they saw Santa Claus. Christmas music played in the background; making the mood festive, while parents, with their children, waited patiently in line for their turn with Santa Claus. Everyone there felt special and knew there were plenty of presents for everyone. Santa gave presents to the parents of homebound handicapped children to take home and by 5 p.m. presents were unwrapped and enjoyed by the children of Little Village. 
Adrian Nevarez, 3; Santa, Licet Navarez 4
            
Santa's helpers Cristo Rey Jesuit students. 
          SANTA COULD
not have done it without his helpers, the wonderful students from Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. Special guest, Attorney Martin “Marty” Castro, and his family, wife Amalia Rioja and two sons Nez Castro-Rioja and Maximo Castro-Rioja came to LVCC’s toy-give-away with wrapped gifts for the children of Little Village. The two Castro boys even gave Santa a hand with passing out presents.
 
          TOY DONATIONS: Dean Sher, El Milagro Tortilleria, Toys for Tots Motorcycle Clubs, Uno Uno Uno Mexican Grill, Little Village Rotary Club and Attorney Martin Castro. 
L to R: Ernest Espinoza, Santa, Rosa E. Ibarra, Nilda Esparza
                   LV ROTARY CLUB: The Little Village Rotary Club held its’ First Seasonal Christmas Party this past Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. The event was held at La Justicia Restaurant, 3901 W. 26th St. Rotarians and their guests brought donated toys and then enjoyed a very entertaining and festive evening. Santa Claus made an appearance at the Rotary Club Christmas party and took time out of his busy schedule to visit with Rotarians. Jolly old St. Nick greeted everyone with his signature, “Ho Ho Ho” and took time to take photographs with everyone.  
          ROTARY CLUB President Rosa E. Ibarra introduced the Mistress of Ceremonies’, Honorary Member Nilda Esparza, who shared with guests the many accomplishments of the Rotary Club. The donated toys were given to the Little Village Community Council and LVCC President, August Sallas, thanked the Rotary Club officers and members for their toy contribution. The evening's entertainment was a performance by Matli Dance Academy, a dance group of young girls and the Dynamic a break-dancing group of teen-agers.   
          ROTARY OFFICERS are: President Rosa E. Ibarra, President-elect is Ernest Espinoza, Treasurer Manuel Martinez, Executive Secretary Sheila Ryan-Henry, Secretary Lydia E. Pecina, Sargeant at Arms Bonifacio Iniguez, Members are: Diane Casas, Dean Eberhardt, Guillermo Jimenez, Rick Guerrero, Juan Medonza Wheat, Eulalia Guzman, Roberto Paniagua, Manuel Medina Abundio Zaragoza, Anthony Peterson, Jaime Valdez, Gonzalo Gradilla, Francisco Barrera, Leonardo Rios, Miguel Jimenez, James N. Settles Sr. Rotarians motto is: "Service Above Self."
          
        Mario Lopez, Office Manager, for State Rep.
Silvana Tabares received his flu shot.
                                FLU VACCINES: Last Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013, fifty-four Little Village residents came to the Little Village Community Council for a free flu shot. Administering the flu vaccines were the staff members Begsa Calvache, Angela Rodriguez, Renata Costa, Concepcion Escobar, Celilia M. Aillon. of the Department of Public Health. Coordinator of the Flu Shot clinic was Melissa Ponce from Ever Thrive Illinois. "Everyone six months of age and older should get a flu shot every year. Go to your medical provider or call 311 for more information," said Melissa Ponce. For more info: Melissa Ponce mponce@everthrive.org

               
 FELIZ NAVIDAD
    MERRY CHRISTMAS 
TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
M