Children’s Charity bash set for next week

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December 6, 2012

Children’s Charity bash set for next week

Anonymous The Salem News The Salem News Thu Dec 06, 2012, 02:32 PM EST

To the editor:

Nineteen years ago this month, a group of people that I’ve come to call the Magi began something that has become THE place for Salemites of good cheer to be during the holiday season.

It is the Salem Children’s Charity Christmas Party. It has only two purposes. One is to raise money to try to meet the often very basic (food, clothing, shelter) needs of Salem’s schoolchildren. The other is to have a great time involving fabulous food and wondrous camaraderie.

We live in a time of economic turmoil and political polarization. As the political and economic arguments rage on, things don’t change for one group. That group is made up of children beset by the ravages of family illness, economic disaster and accident, as well as the ever-present specter of grinding poverty.

Salem Children’s Charity is constantly made aware of the unseen tragedies and dire circumstances befalling our children every day. Families hit by untimely death, job loss, fire, etc., cannot replace what was lost, particularly a parent. But good old Salem once more rallies for its young! Salem will step up and help them out as best we can, along with numerous other children whose needs are usually identified by schoolteachers, counselors and principals.

Salem Children’s Charity is committed to helping children in dire need. We provide food vouchers at every school, and principals know that there is an open line as emergency situations develop. You, too, can help while having a great time and saving money all at once.

The 19th annual “Salem’s Christmas Party” takes place at Victoria Station on Tuesday, Dec. 11. And what a party it will be! Doors will open at 5 p.m. General Manager Elizabeth Collett has given us the entire property for the night. The entire Victoria Station staff has donated their time. They will be augmented by a group of volunteer teens, many of whom will be representing the culinary arts program at Salem High School.

Dinner will be what previous attendees will attest is a huge and delicious buffet. There will be raffle tickets for all sorts of goodies from gift certificates to apparel. A silent auction will feature high-quality handcrafted items, fabulous golf packages, athletic souvenirs and professional services. The live auction will feature a variety of highly desirable things from the very practical to the “gotta have it” collectible.

We expected to be visited once again by Boston sports luminaries. Terry O’Reilly joins us every year. We expect other Bruin alumni, as well. Perhaps Hall-of-Famer Jim Rice will drop in again as he did last year.

Parking is available at no cost in the Immaculate Conception Church parking lot, thanks to Father Murphy. Reasonable-fee parking can be found at the South Harbor parking garage.

If you can’t remember the date, look for our signs in Town House Square and Jefferson Avenue facing Willson Street.

We hope to see you at Victoria Station on Dec. 11 as Salem celebrates the holidays and shows the world what community caring is.

Thanks and a joyful holiday season to all.

Brendan Walsh

for Salem Children’s Charity