The employees at Mid Michigan Community College (MMCC) took time again this year to help area children have a merry Christmas. Despite the snowy Michigan weather, the employees hosted a Christmas party for roughly 60 children in need from Clare and Gladwin Counties.
“All of the families who attended were so happy,” said Sarah Gariglio, Mid Administrative Specialist, who coordinated the event for the first time this year. “We enjoyed Santa’s special reading of The Polar Express, had a Christmas carol singalong, filled goody bags, ate pizza, and decorated sugar cookies.”
As part of the event, each of the 25 families also received a Family Fare or Witbeck’s grocery store gift card to help them prepare a proper Christmas dinner. Each child will also have presents to open on Christmas morning thanks to generous donations from MMCC faculty and staff.
Bob and Linda Guiliani from Guys and Dolls Photography in Clare donated their services to take a picture of each child on Santa’s lap. Volunteers at the event included MMCC staff, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Students, Early Childhood Education students, and Mid faculty.
“The children’s faces just lit up when Santa came in, and that makes all of the work worth it,” said Gariglio. “It’s very rewarding to be a part of the MMCC team, because so many members of the college contribute and work together to make this event so special.”
Since 1999, MMCC and their employees have stepped up and supplied Christmas for at least 60 kids every year, and sometimes more. MMCC would like to extend a sincere thank you to all who donated, attended, and worked behind the scenes to make this event shine.
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