American Legion Post 198 held their annual community Christmas party on Dec. 13, at the Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center.
The evening started with greeters passing out raffle tickets to the boys and girls for a chance to win a new bicycle while everyone was finding a seat and visiting with guest speaker Leon Hawzipta, who told Native American folklore stories to the children. He was given a Pendleton blanket after he was finished with his stories.
“Seen a lot of smiling faces, heard a lot of laughter, and ate a delicious steak with fixings. Good community event!” said Cameron Pratt.
Boy Scout Troop 43 and their scout leader Bruce Hendren prepared the meal that consisted of a steak dinner with baked potatoes, green beans, rolls and a salad with a long line of different deserts to choose from. Boy Scout Troop 33 was also there to help serve and help wherever needed.
“It was awesome, and a lot of work but we had fun and the boys did great,” Hendren said.
When dinner was wrapping up Santa Claus showed up to see all the children. The line was long to tell Santa their wishes for Christmas Day. Each child received a full stocking of candy and treasures and then got to go into the toyshop where they were allowed to choose one toy of their choosing and there were a lot of toys to choose from.
The members of the American Legion Post 198 provided the toys and stockings for the children and they gave away eight bicycles to four boys and four girls who had winning raffle tickets.
All the kids in attendance were excited to see Santa Claus and had smiling faces upon leaving the toy room.
By
Tara Madden
Original Publish Date: 2015-01-12 00:00:00
