Christmas season is upon us and one of the best gifts people have chosen to give is their time and money to help children enjoy this festive season. We tend to forget that many of our areas children live in poverty. The poverty rates in Syracuse are amongst the highest for urban children. During this Great Recession a parent paying rent or mortgage and other ancillary costs of survival are pitted against the desire of all parents to give their children a memorable Christmas.
There are dozens of organizations that deliver hope during the holiday season some have sponsored toy and clothing programs, Kettles or scan- able coupons at the grocery store and highly visible campaigns for their cause.
Other efforts fly below radar and aren’t noticed but I wanted to shed light on a program that brings a little holiday joy to children at Southwest Community Center’s annual Cut-A-Thon and Christmas Party.
Al Lyda of Ebony Paving, Ken Kinsey of Kinsey Car Company, Inc ; Southwest Community Center’s Pride Program and friends teamed-up for this annual event that was held at Southwest Community Center from 2:00 – 8:00 P.M. December 21st 2011.
This the 17th year where area barber’s donate their time to give boys between the ages of 5-12 free haircuts with girls attending received gift certificates donated by local beauty salons.
The Syracuse Golf Association donated 30 bicycles that were given away by a drawing held at the event. John John’s Country Cooking provided food; Warren Davis coordinated barbers and DJ Flip Side was spinning for this event that broguht joy to children during what should be to them “The most wonderful time of the year”. This is an annual event so if you’d like to donate or get involved for 2012 call Al Lyda at 807-3031.
Photo: Eddie William’s as Santa from 2010
