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Santa Gets A Head Start With Help Of Annual Project

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By MEGAN HUSSEY, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 8, 2007

HUDSON - In her classroom Friday morning, Hudson Elementary Head Start prekindergarten teacher Karen Ross had big news for her students.

"Last night I got a call on my cell phone from a man with a big white beard," she told them.

She then produced her cell phone, which showed a picture of the caller in question.

"It was Santa Claus," she said. "He said, 'Miss Ross, how is your class doing? Could I come and meet your friends there?' I said, 'I think my friends would love it.'"

These 18 students did love it, as they were led to a media center decorated with Christmas trees, holiday lights and life-sized reindeer figurines. They received bags of toys, clothes, candy and fresh fruit, distributed by Santa Claus - their guest of honor - and Barbara Badali, Christmas committee chairwoman of the Summertree Ladies Golf League.

Continuing a seven-year tradition, the Christmas committee purchased the gifts, clothes and food items for those Head Start prekindergarten kids identified by the school.

"This is a big project, and a lovely one," Badali said. "I love to see the tears and joy on the children's faces."

This year, the children's parents were invited to see the gift distribution.

"What the ladies have done is overwhelming. It makes me want to cry," said Kelly Seivers, mother of recipient Megan Seivers, 4. "And the kids have been so good, they deserve it."

The parents joined the Summertree ladies in taking photos of the kids as they opened gifts ranging from dresses and pantsuits to Hot Wheels cars, baby dolls, teddy bears and storybooks.

"They remind me of my grandchildren," said Summertree Christmas committee representative Joy Lotito.

Adults looked on with smiles as 5-year-old Zachary Zsiga hugged Santa and informed him, "You have a big beard and it's white."

Ryan Reinhard, 4, almost toppled as he lifted his gigantic gift bags. And Meadow Burkheart, 5, who celebrated her birthday this week, also appreciated her bounty of gifts.

"I love you, Santa," she said.

Each year, the ladies of the Summertree Ladies Golf League put a lot of work into their jobs as Santa's helpers. Once they receive the vital statistics of their beneficiaries (statistics such as age, gender, first name, shirt/sweater size, and jean/dress size), they shop for gifts; and, with donations from the Summertree Mens Golf League, they buy fruit and candies for the children.

"It's like they say on those television commercials," said Carol Ross, Karen's mother and a class volunteer. "Each of these gifts was bought at a certain price. The reactions of these children? That's priceless."

SUMMERTREE LADIES GOLF LEAGUE

SOME BACKGROUND: The Summertree Ladies Golf League in New Port Richey delivered gifts and treats Friday morning to Head Start students at Hudson Elementary School.

The Christmas committee of the Summertree Ladies Golf League consists of chairman Barbara Badali and members Patti Terry, Sally Lucas, Carli Maniscalco, Joy Lotito, Norma Wing and Norma Sartell. Also helping was Phil Badali, Barbara's husband.

At Hudson Elementary, the gift-giving festivities are overseen by a team that includes Head Start prekindergarten teacher Karen Ross, Family Service Worker Grace Erwin, teaching assistant Angie Danhns, parent involvement coordinator Anna Stump and parent and faculty volunteers, among others.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: This annual event is funded totally by the Ladies and Mens Golf Leagues in Summertree, as a service to the children.

A LITTLE HISTORY: The Ladies Golf League has conducted this philanthropic effort for seven years.

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