Santa Makes the Day!

More than 230 children with physical disabilities and their families kicked off the holiday season with a special Christmas party hosted by The Rotary Club of Toronto and friends.   The party took place on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

The Rotary Club of Toronto has a 85 Year tradition of hosting a Christmas party for kids with special needs in Toronto, and this year the Club invited kids from the following groups to make this a truly memorable event. 

Over 650  participants, the very special guests being children with physical disabilities and along with their families will start their holiday season at the Annual  Christmas Party hosted by The Rotary club of Toronto. The children their siblings, parents, members of the Toronto Police and, of course, many Rotary Club of Toronto volunteers all had a terrific time!.

"The Children's Christmas party is one of the highlights of the year for many of these kids and we make sure it is a very special afternoon, " says Steve Smith, President of The Rotary Club of Toronto.  "Each child is made to feel especially welcome at the event and our volunteers and donors from across the city make sure that no one leaves the event without a visit from Santa and an overflowing gift bag."

Members of Toronto's Police Services including Senior Police Officers joined the party with a strong team of volunteers including their popular in-house band known as The Coppertones.  Volunteers from the Toronto Fire Department were in full force and brought one of the Pumper Trucks to the front entrance of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel so the kids who are able may climb aboard.  

Professional Storytellers spun their tales, and face-painters made smiles on little faces, Arts for Children and Youth helped the kids do an art project, scrap bookers assisted tiny hands to make a special treat and Rotary Exchange students from around the world, disguised as clowns and elves, sang, danced and helped make this a day to remember for the children and their families.  Santa Claus, of course made his annual visit, to the delight of the little ones!

Volunteers at the event  included some of Toronto's Finest from the Toronto Police Department, the Toronto Police Auxiliary, Toronto Fire Department, EMS, the Toronto Rotaract Club, the University of Toronto Rotaract Club and staff of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel along with the hosts of the party - the members of The Rotary Club of Toronto!.