DON BOSCO PREP STUDENTS SPREAD CHRISTMAS CHEER

by Craig Dietel

(Ramsey, N.J. – December 20) – On December 19, the Don Bosco Prep Youth Ministry Department held its annual Christmas party at Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy (OLGA) in Elizabeth, N.J. This year marks the 11th consecutive year that the Ramsey, N.J., school has offered a Christmas party at OLGA.

The group of young men consisted of volunteers and members of the DBP band, led by youth ministry coordinator Fr. Paul Chu, assistant youth ministry coordinator John Khanjian, and Gaetano Cecere, band director. The group arrived at OLGA at 9:00 a.m. to get toys and treats ready for the kids who would be attending the party.

DBP’s band played Christmas carols while volunteers and OLGA students sang along. DBP students played musical chairs with the younger children, and outdoor games and activities with the 7th and 8th grade students.

“Really, the guys are excited to do this and be a part of this annual Christmas party,” said Mr. Khanjian. “It’s a tradition at our school, and the boys know it’s a fun one, so everyone wants to be a part of it.”

No Christmas party would be complete without a visit from Santa Claus (portrayed by senior Tim Sweeney), who handed out gifts to all of the OLGA students in attendance. These were the toys collected through DBP’s toy drive, which exceeded expectation and brought in around 400 toys. This meant that each student at OLGA got at least two toys this year!

Don Bosco Prep is grateful to the school community of Our Lady of Guadalupe for welcoming us into their home, and to the entire DBP community for the hard work of helping to spread Christmas cheer this year.