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What’s the connection between Club 33 and June 25th each year? That day is when members of our Military Affairs Committee volunteer at “The Christmas You Missed” event held by the San Diego Armed Services YMCA to help military families who had a Dad or Mom deployed on Dec. 25 last year celebrate the missed holiday.
Mike Caruso and wife Cindy, Bob Russell, Dave Oates, Dick Sullivan, Mickey Flynn, John Van Deusen, Jeff Wiemann, Mike Rowan, Rudi Brewster, Paul Hartley III and I gathered to assist with the set-up the night before or to help with the activities on the day of TCYM. We put down floor coverings, carried and set up tables and chairs, hung banners, wall-papered the gym with rolls of Christmas wrapping paper, decorated real Christmas trees, moved boxes, served breakfast, worked a snow-making machine and helped wherever we were needed to be sure that the 450 people at the party had a good time.
Most of the 120 families of junior enlisted men and women who attended are from the 3rd Marine Air Wing at MCAS Miramar. Christmas music, holiday cookies, other food and drinks, crafts, puzzles, and gingerbread decorating activities turned the gym into a big family room for the holiday from 6 to 9 AM that day. Of course, a visit with Santa Claus (John VD) was a highlight of the party.
If this event sounds like your cup of service, look for it in 2010. The MAC will be happy to have more Rotarians help make the party even better.
Photography by Paul Hartley III
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