The Town of Pelham's First Annual Children's Holiday Season Party Held in 1932

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Last Saturday, December 2, Town Supervisor Peter DiPaola and Town staff welcomed more than 150 youngsters and their families to Gazebo Park and the Town Hall grounds for the 2017 Children's Holiday Party and Tree Lighting.  The celebration was joyous with peals of laughter, youngsters chattering and scampering, and a hum of excitement.

Santa and Mrs. Claus welcomed youngsters.  Each child received a small stuffed bear as a gift.  Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Trolls danced among the kids, greeting all with high-fives, dances, and hugs.  There were face painting sessions, balloon animals, a small petting zoo, festive carolers, and much more.  The evening was topped off with the lighting of the Town Tree next to Town Hall with magnificent lighting including a giant star at its very top.

Hundreds of Pelhamites enjoyed the event.  Virtually none, however, knew that the joyous celebration was the continuation of an annual tradition that began 85 years ago in 1932.

In 1932, the Town of Pelham and our entire nation were in the terrible throes of the Great Depression.  Many Pelham families and their youngsters were not looking forward to a joyous holiday season.  The Great Depression had taken its toll.

The entire Town of Pelham came together that year, led by Town Supervisor Joseph H. McCormick and Welfare Commissioner Nellie Admir, to host a giant holiday party for the children of needy families of the Town.  Though the holiday party since has evolved into a wonderful celebration for all children of the Town, the first annual children's holiday party was specifically for needy children of the Town.  

That year, the Town of Pelham oversaw a committee of nearly fifty Pelhamites raised private money and donations to support the big event.  In fact, the group raised so much money from compassionate and concerned Pelham citizens wanting to give a happy holiday season to Pelham youngsters that quite a bit was left over after the celebration.  The excess was placed in a "thrift account" at a local bank to be used the following year to continue the tradition -- a tradition that continues to this day.

When the big day arrived, Santa (played by Town Engineer Harry Phillips) distributed a bag of targeted gifts to each child, assisted by a costumed "Brownie" as Santa's helper (played by Pelhamite James Connolly).  Pelhamite James Lang, who performed professionally as a clown in the Barnum & Bailey Circus, performed as a Christmas clown.  Arthur Spafford and Arthur Walker dressed together in a horse costume that delighted the youngsters.

The event was the culmination of weeks of work.  The Town required families to apply for admission tickets for their children.  Town Welfare Commissioner Nellie Admir then interviewed every family to determine need and the nature of gifts suitable for the children.  Every child received "a bag containing a toy, two suits of underwear, two pairs of stockings, candy, apples, nuts and oranges. "  In addition, during the party (which was held in VFW Hall on Fifth Avenue), refreshments of ice cream and cake were served. 

In addition to the clowning and horse performance, during the party Christmas stories were read to the children during the event.  The special treat of a radio was provided for entertainment during the party as well.  The children sang Christmas carols, led by Mrs. George F. Harman.   

At the height of the Great Depression, the Town of Pelham began a holiday tradition for the children of Pelham that continues to this day.  Hopefully, the tradition will continue a century from now and beyond. 

 

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"BRINGING CHRISTMAS JOY TO NEEDY CHILDREN  Entertainers and

Sponsors of Town Christmas Party Given Yesterday Afternoon for 175

Children of Needy Families.  Left to Right:  James Connolly, Santa's Helper;

Mrs. Nellie Admir, Town Welfare Commissioner, Who Arranged the Party;

Town Engineer Harry Phillips as Santa Claus; Supervisor Joseph H.

McCormick; Alan Eckert, Who Acted as Master of Ceremonies; Jake Lang,

Clown; Arthur Spafford and Arthur Walker Are Impersonating the Horse.

-- Photo by Frutkoff."  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"It Will Be A Merry Christmas For Children Who Attend Town Party

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Pelham Residents Urged to Help With Program to Be Staged by Public Welfare Officer at Town Hall; Contributions Are Requested.

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Residents of the Pelhams are urged to assist in the first annual Pelham Christmas Party for the children of needy families to be held at the Town Hall on Saturday December 21st.  Santa Clause himself will be there with many assistants who will make sure that all the children who attend will know what a real Christmas is.  Mrs. Nellie Adair, public welfare commissioner of the town is preparing the program.  She is assisted by a large committee of prominent Peham women.  Mrs. A. C. Field, Mrs. Edward C. King, Mrs. Charles M. Russell, Mrs. Grace Logan Lyons and Mrs. Kneeland S. Durham, Jr., joined the committee this week.

The program will be financed by voluntary contributions.  Tag Day will be held in Pelham on Saturday, December 3rd and is expected to provide necessary funds.

Mrs. Adair reports that there has been a generous response to her appeal for contributions and gifts.  The following have contributed during the last week:  Miss Anne Cummins, John T. Brook, C. J. Monro, and Dr. Ken G. Hancher.

Applications for tickets should be made to Mrs. Adair, who will personally investigate every case.  Each child who attends the party will receive two suits of warm underwear, toys, stockings, candy and such clothing which the case shows will be required to keep the child warm during the winter months.  There will be refreshments, music and entertainment.

A radio will be donated for the party by Kolb & Crawford.  The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. has donated many pounds of candy.  Supervisor Joseph H. McCormick has donated 50 suits of underwear.

Mrs. Adair requests that contributions of toys, food, clothing, books, candy, etc., be sent to her office in the Town Hall where members of the committee will sort them and wrap packages.  A list of the needs of every child will be made and special packages will be prepared so that there will be no disappointments.

Women of the Pelhams are urged to join the committee in charge of the program.  During the next few weeks there will be considerable work for all who care to associate themselves with this affair.

Christmas decoration are also needed.  Send your contributions to Mrs. Adair at the Town Hall.  Let's all get behind this party and make it a Merry Christmas for the poor children of the Pelhams,"

Source:  It Will Be A Merry Christmas For Children Who Attend Town Party -- Pelham Residents Urged to Help With Program to Be Staged by Public Welfare Officer at Town Hall; Contributions Are Requested, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 25, 1932, Vol. 23, No. 36, p. 1, cols. 1-2.  

"Santa Claus Distributes Christmas Gifts To Children At Welfare Christmas Party Yesterday

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Christmas joy was brought to the hearts of 175 Pelham youngsters yesterday afternoon at the Christmas party arranged by Mrs. Nellie Adair, town welfare commissioner, for children of needy families of the town.  The affair was held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall on Fifth avenue, the use of which was generously donated by the Walsh-Marvel Post No. 307.

A gala program was presented with Santa Clause and a number of entertainers.  The climax of the afternoon came when Santa Claus distributed to each of the children a bag containing a toy, two suits of underwear, two pairs of stockings, candy, apples, nuts and oranges.  During the party, refreshments of ice cream and cake were served.

The program opened with the singing of several Christmas songs by the children, led by Mrs. George F. Harman.  Then several games were played and refreshments served.  During intervals, entertainment was presented.  Jacob Lang, who clowned with Barnum and Bailey's circus for years appeared in several amusing constumes that pleased the kiddies.  One of the high spots of the program, judging from the cries of delight, was a bit of action staged by Lang and a horse, impersonated by Arthur Spafford and Arthur Walker.

(Continued on Page 5)

SANTA CLAUS IS AT TOWN WELFARE CHRISTMAS PARTY

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(Continued from Page One)

Mrs. Edwin A. Jimenis told  several Christmas stories, the children gathering about her in a large circle on the floor to listen wide-eyed as she told of Santa Claus.  An orchestra, led by Miss Ruth Fanelli, played music for the games and for the entertainment.  The Misses Alice Brock and Louise Lank were members of the orchestra.

Harry Phillips, town engineer, made the biggest hit of the day as Santa Claus.  Mr. Phillips was cast to perfection in this role, the kiddies climbing over each other to shake his hand and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.  James Connolly, attired as a Brownie, aided Santa Claus in the distribution of gifts.

Alan Eckert acted as master of ceremonies, conducting the games and introducing the various acts.  Austin de Stolfe sang a tenor solo.

Due to the generosity of many local people and business establishments in donating supplies, a portion of the $500 collected on Tag Day was saved.  Supervisor Joseph H. McCormick announced last night that this would be deposited in a thrift account and held in readiness for a similar party next year.  

Assisting on the committee were Mrs. G. F. Harman, Miss Aileen Kelleher, Miss Aileen Giblin, Mrs. J. Roche, Mrs. J. C. Wilberding, Mrs. W. L. Dench, Miss Ann Hammett, Mrs. Albert C. Field, Miss Mary Lou Field, Mrs. Julius Manger, Mrs. Minnie E. Oden, Mrs. Edward A. Brunner, Mrs. R. E. Ramsay, Miss Barbara Ramsay, Mrs. G. L. Russell, Mrs. T. W. Van Twisk, Miss Marion Russell, Miss Florence Harman, Mrs. A. J. Sweeney, Mrs. J. Pickard, Miss Estelle Christofferson.

Mrs. Kneeland S. Durham, Jr., Mrs. W. F. Goeltz, Mrs. D. J. Kennedy, Mrs. J. C. Brown, Mrs. E. J. Dutschler, Mrs. Harry Phillips, Mrs. E. J. Bayle, Mrs. L. B. Smith, Mrs. William Bradley, Mrs. William Taich, Mrs. John D. Groves, Mrs. Edward C. King, Mrs. James Black, Mrs. Theodore J. Deuscher, Alan Eckert, James Connolly, Austin de Stolfe, William Burnett, James Mullins, Commander John J. O'Sullivan of Walsh-Marvel Post, and Gorham Head."

Source:  Santa Claus Distributes Christmas Gifts To Children At Welfare Christmas Party Yesterday, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 22, 1932, Vol. 23, No. 40, p. 1, cols. 3-5 & p. 5, col. 7..

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