SJVC Hosts Annual Christmas Party

Over 140 children of all ages attended this year's annual Children's Christmas Party at SJVC in Visalia last Friday from 3:00-5:00pm. Student Resource Coordinator Elisia Sanchez organize this year's free event which offered fun booths such as face-painting, child-made Christmas ornaments and pictures frames to hold each of their photos taken with Santa. Story time was held in teh comfortable campus auditorium and food stations provided Christmas snacks and beverages to all attendees.

The children were all sons, daughters and other relatives of SJVC students, staff and faculty. Every child got a gift bag filled with goodies, including a raffle ticket for prizes given away at the end of the day. every adult attending also got a raffle ticket. "The main attraction was definitely the raffle," said Kerrie Liles, Dean of Student Services. "Kids were so excited for a chance to win some of the nice gifts we had bought with money raised by student service clubs."

Tickets were drawn for over 80 toys and four completely decorated artificial Christmas trees. "Some employees had even donated their SJVC Christmas gift certificates to include in the drawing," said Liles.

SJVC staff, faculty, students and various student clubs spent many months preparing for the event and raising money through bake sales and other campus fundraisers. Many SJVC employees also volunteered to manage game and food booths as well as try their hands as face painters and crafts instructors. The most noticeable volunteer was Jesse Decker, SJVC's General Education Manager, who got the greatest attention as this year's delightful Santa Claus.