Kiwanis Club hosts annual Children’s Christmas party

Published 6:50 pm Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Mrs. Claus (Joann Mathews) and Santa’s Elf (Hannah Piggott) visited with children and their families at Kiwanis Club’s annual Christmas party.

Mrs. Claus (Joann Mathews) and Santa’s Elf (Hannah Piggott) visited with children and their families at Kiwanis Club’s annual Christmas party.

Christmas cheer was all around on Tuesday as the Greenville Kiwanis Club held its annual Children’s Christmas Party Tuesday at Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center.    

While Christmas is more than a week away, the holiday spirit was in full swing as Kiwanis Club, in conjunction with Safe Harbor, Key Club members, and volunteers teamed up to bring 10 children and families together for refreshments catered by Nanny’s Fine Dining and a surprise visit from Mrs. Claus. 

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Along with the Christmas music, good food and fun, there were gifts for every child. 

Safe Harbor Director and Kiwanis Club member Kathy Smyth said she enjoys being a part of the annual Christmas program each year. “We’re [Safe Harbor] doing this for those that have been affiliated with Safe Harbor at some point in time,” she said.  “Seeing the smiles and excitement on the children’s faces makes it all worth it – it’s very sweet and special.”

In addition to Kiwanis Club hosting the party, the club also provided the program with a $2,000 donation to assist with presents, clothes and many other items included in the children’s gift bags. 

Fort Dale Academy and Greenville High School Key Club members helped shop for gifts, wrap gifts and trim the Christmas tree that was on display at the event.  The gifts were purchased at Walmart of Greenville.  “We appreciate Walmart’s assistance,” Smyth said.  “They do a fabulous job accommodating our group of shoppers and making sure that the process is as seamless as possible.”