Community Corner
PHOTOS: Local Volunteers Bring Christmas Cheer to Children in Need
Castro Valley Rotary teamed up with other neighboring groups, organizations and agencies to provide dinner and hand out gifts to local children in need.
Food, presents, and a decorated tree made for a special Tuesday evening at the during a holiday party and gift giveaway for 40 local-area youth.
The Rotary Club of Castro Valley teamed up Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) to serve dinner to children from Hosana Homes and the Family Emergency Shelter Coalition (FESCO).
Students from Interact Club kept children entertained by engaging them in face-painting and balloon-shaping activities.
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The Alameda County Fire Department had a special delivery that evening: Santa Claus himself. Jolly St. Nick delivered toys to the children, all of which were donated by .
The event has grown over the years according to Castro Valley attorney and Rotarian Mark Poniatowski.
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"The first years I went and bought a couple of pizzas and we had it at the fire house," Poniatowski said.
Rotary's annual Children's Holiday Party was originally the vision of Poniatowski.
"There are a lot of kids who don't have a traditional family and holiday dinner," he said. "I want to give back to the kids."
To get a glimpse of how all the hard work of the local volunteers paid off, scroll through the photos above.
