North Light children enjoy Christmas party at Villanova

RADNOR >> Villanova University hosted its annual Christmas party to benefit the children of Manayunk’s North Light Community Center Dec. 9.

Sponsored by the North Light/ Villanova Alliance (NOVAL) as part of the university’s “Spread the Spirit” service project, children and family members attended in the Connelly Center on campus.

Villanova students, faculty and staff volunteered as Christmas elves to “adopt” a child for the NOVAL Christmas party, purchasing gifts from the children’s wish lists. University departments, staff and student organizations “adopted” 30 families for whom Christmas gifts were donated and distributed.

The party featured craft tables, games and a gingerbread person decorating table, as well as pizza and treats donated by University Dining Services and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Santa also made a special appearance. The party was also made possible through donations from Villanova’s Student Government Association and the Campus Activities Team. Volunteers from Villanova Campus Ministry’s RUIBAL freshman student organization, which tutors children at the North Light Community Center and several Philadelphia schools, staffed the tables at the Christmas party. “Villanova University staff, faculty and students generously support The North Light Community Center throughout the year. At Christmastime, their participation and support of the

‘Spread the Spirit’ program is overwhelming. They provide gifts for families that otherwise would not have a Christmas. This past Thanksgiving, turkey dinners were provided for 100 families,” sai Marybeth Avioli, program co-chair.

The NOVAL partnership was established in 2014 to pair Villanova University’s resources with the needs of the North Light Community Center, which, for more than 80 years, has provided direct service to those in need in the Manayunk community through after-school and summer camp programs and classes for children, teenagers and adults, as well as sports activities and a computer lab. It also offers emergency assistance and scholarships.

SUbMitted PhOtOs — KaRen sMith/nORth liGht COMMUnitY CenteR Children from Manayunk’s north light Community Center enjoy a visit with santa at a Christmas party sponsored by Villanova University dec. 9 on campus.

One of the youngest attendees at a dec. 9 Christmas Party sponsored on campus by Villanova University for children from Manayunk’s north light Community Center has an audience with santa.