The Kids’ Christmas Party at the Portuguese Cultural Centre of Bradford was more than just a party.
“It’s our way to give back to the community," said Liz Lambert, one of the organizers.
The party was free, with plenty of food and treats, refreshments, games, crafts, a visit from Santa Claus, and an age-appropriate gift for every child.
Donors and sponsors from the community covered some of the costs. Sweet B’s Confectionery provided cookie dough and icing, for the cookie-decorating. Little Caesar’s offered a discount for the two dozen pizzas served, in addition to the hot dogs and Portuguese-style food served.
But the Portuguese Cultural Centre played the biggest role, organizing and hosting the event, collecting the gifts for the kids, and wrapping them all.
“Some are donated by the community. We buy the rest,” said Lambert, making sure that every child would receive a present from Santa.
“Last year, we had 120 to 130 kids. This year we had about 150 register,” and several more come out at the last minute, she said. Lambert had to run out and buy more presents on the morning of the party.
Excited kids worked on crafts, devoured hot dogs and pizza, decorated cookies, and waited impatiently for Santa to arrive. It was noisy, chaotic – and tremendous fun.
“I love seeing all these kids,” said Lambert. “This is Christmas!”
The next event at the Portuguese Cultural Centre of Bradford, located at 767 Simcoe Rd., will be the New Year’s Eve Gala – including dinner of soup, salad, steak, chicken breast and shrimp, vegetables, rice, potatoes, King Cake and other desserts. There will also be entertainment by the duo Somluso, a midnight buffet of seafood, desserts and fruit, and champagne. Tickets are $85 per person for adult members of the centre, and $35 for children ages seven to 12. For non-members, the cost is $100 for adults and $45 for children. Doors open at 6 p.m. For tickets, call 905-775-3254 or 905-775-4938.
It will be another all-ages party, this time to ring in the New Year.
“It’s about family here,” said Lambert. “The kids come to all our events.”
