Article Photos

=WELLSVILLE - No one truly experiences the wonder of Christmas like a child, except perhaps the adult who sees the holiday through the sparkling eyes of a child he has helped realize a dream.

In a continuing tradition, village officials and employees again this year did all they could to bring Christmas alive for hundreds of children who might otherwise find the holiday less than fulfilling due to their family's financial circumstances.

With help from local school principals who selected deserving children, police Chief Joe Scarabino and employees from several Village Hall offices spent a day shopping, buying everything a youngster wants to find under the Christmas tree and even some things they never thought of.

Using donations received throughout the year, the group, consisting of Scarabino, Jennifer Soldano, Jenny Allen, Nancy Murray and Ashley Pugliano, bought and wrapped toys for a number of families.

On Monday, Scarabino dropped off the presents to the wide-eyed children, explaining that, due to a snow storm in the East, Santa needed help so asked the chief to deliver some of the presents a tad earlier than usual.

Scarabino made the children take an oath not to open the gifts until Christmas day, and every one complied.

While most children today want high-tech electronic games, Allen said the chief believes in the camaraderie that comes only from families playing traditional board games, so he insisted on buying a pile of those.

Some of the board games were also set aside and wrapped for another group of youngsters who are treated to a Christmas party each year by Mayor Joe Surace at Village Hall.

The boys from the Youth with a Purpose home in Salineville received "Battleship" games as well as Playstation games from the village, with Rev. Darlene Zanders of Mt. Sinai FBH Church donating pizza, chicken, salads and cake for the afternoon party Tuesday.

"It's a chance to give something back," Scarabino said as he watched the boys chow down along with village employees and officials.

"I consider myself the luckiest guy on the planet this time of the year," Scarabino said, adding it is due to the generosity of people all year that allows him to put aside money for the presents.

"It doesn't (mess) with my budget. If it did, I'd find another way (to buy the presents)," he said.

In speaking with the boys prior to lunch, Scarabino talked about the miracle of the season and the importance of never quitting, telling them, "If you fail, you fail because you wanted to quit. If you succeed, it's because you wanted to succeed. I don't care who gave up on you in the past, never give up on yourselves."

Juvenile office Marsha Eisenhart also enters the mix each Christmas, with piles of toys surrounding the desk she uses at the police station.

They will be distributed as part of the annual Care and Share campaign, which also provides food and other necessities to village residents.

Not to be outdone, the fire department last year took over a tradition started many years ago by now-retired police officer Jack Gallagher.

In his cruiser, Gallagher escorted Santa Claus around town to visit children, and last year the fire department took over with a twist: The jolly old elf gets to ride in a bright red fire truck, lights flashing.

For three days over the last two weeks, firemen have taken Santa into the neighborhoods and into Yellow Creek Township where wide-eyed children some in only their socks, some with one shoe, some without coats, but all with a list of desires climbed into his lap for one last chance to tell him their deepest secrets.

Close to 300 children came out to visit, according to firefighter Jamie McMahon, who said although some parents would have liked to see visits continue another day, Santa had to head back to his workshop.

"From what we heard, he has about another 250 PSPs to make before Christmas," he smiled.