The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Boys and Girls Clubs celebrates Christmas at the Palace
Nearly 900 eager kids packed into the historic Lorain Palace Theater at 617 Broadway Ave. on Dec. 15 as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lorain County celebrated the holidays with their annual Christmas party.
The children and their parents shared in the excitement with music and dance in addition to welcoming Santa and Mrs. Claus, who made their dramatic entrance through the theater to screams of excitement from the youngsters.
When the time was right, Boys and Girls Clubs members were invited up onto the stage to select a gift handed out by members of the organization’s Board of Directors, and numerous community partners.
Tony Dimacchia, director of operations for the Boys and Girls Clubs, said the organization has many to thank, including Toys for Tots, Elyria Coca-Cola, Elyria Fire Department, Equity Trust and more for donating toys.
“We’ve been doing this every year for the kids. Every year we have this big Christmas party, and collaboratively it’s been a group of people who have helped us keep this going,” Dimacchia said. “We wanted to make sure every kid walks out of here with a gift.”
In addition, the Educational Service Center of Lorain County in partnership with the Elyria Township Fire Department sponsored a gift drive and dropped off presents to the Lorain Palprior ace Theater by ambulance to the evening festivities.
The organization has partnered with the Lorain Palace for several years to make the evening celebration possible.
“We’ve got the support of downtown business. Look at this beautiful building,” Dimacchia added.