A new family Christmas tradition began in 2011 for the Claussen family of Naperville.
After a visit from Santa and a chaotic morning of opening gifts and assembling toys with their three boys, Anne and Tom got the boys dressed to volunteer at the YMCA/Naperville Park District Christmas Luncheon for Seniors.
“It was a great way for us to give back as a family and let our children see that Christmas is more than receiving gifts” noted Anne, a YMCA Board Member.
This year will mark the 29th year the YMCAs of Naperville will host a Christmas Luncheon for Seniors. The event is designed to provide a place to go for those individuals on low incomes or without family or friends in the area on Christmas Day. Last year the 110 in attendance shared stories about grandchildren and friends, sang songs, enjoyed a traditional meal and even played rounds of bingo over the two-hour event.
Funded solely by generous individual donors, this event is led by YMCA and Park District staff with the help of dozens of volunteers like the Claussen family.
This year’s event takes place on Christmas Day beginning at 11:30AM Tues., Dec. 25, at the Naperville Marriott. If you are aware of any seniors on low incomes or without family or friends to share this holiday, refer them to Brianne Pardo at the YMCA at (630) 420-6270.
Or if you are interested in beginning a new tradition by volunteering or donating, please call the YMCA for further details.
