The Professionals' Team Celebrates Christmas!

The Inner-City Scholarship Fund Professionals' Team was busy getting into the spirit of Christmas this past December, hosting separate parties for adults and children. On Friday, December 8, the Professionals' Team 6th Annual Christmas Celebration was held at the Union Club of Boston, with a magnificent view overlooking Boston Common. Guests shared in good food and drink, rekindled friendships with old acquaintances or made new friends - all in a warm, enjoyable atmosphere on a cold night. Ninety-five people attended, easily breaking the record for this event. One of the highlights of the evening was 5th grade students from Sacred Heart Elementary School in Lynn singing Christmas carols for all the guests. The evening also featured a silent auction and an abundance of door prizes.

While the Christmas Party has been primarily a celebration of the holiday season and a social/networking event more than a fund raiser, this year's event netted approximately $2,500 for the Inner-City Scholarship Fund (ICSF). The proceeds were specifically directed to needy students attending Sacred Heart in Lynn, one of 58 schools that are recipients of ICSF funds.

Sacred Heart was the recognized school this year, as the 2nd Annual ICSF Professionals' Team Children's Christmas Party was held at the school in Lynn on Saturday, December 16. Fifty pre-k, kindergarten and first grade students participated in the fun and festivities of the day. Activities for the children included cookie decorating, creating a self-photo ornament and playing Pin-The-Nose-On-Rudolph. Following a hearty lunch, Santa Clause made a long-awaited visit to the delight of the children. A Christmas story was read, Christmas carols sung and gifts passed out. Our thanks to Houghton Mifflin for donating Merry Christmas, Curious George books for all of the children. The books were a big hit with the kids!

Sacred Heart Elementary School in Lynn is one of 58 schools in the Greater Boston area for which the ICSF provides financial assistance. The school was founded in 1902 and currently has 250 students in grades pre-K through 8. Students come from Lynn and the surrounding communities, including Saugus and Salem. 16% of the students are African-American, 8% Hispanic, and 2% Asian. About one-third of the students receive partial tuition from the Inner-City Scholarship Fund.

Fifteen Professionals' Team volunteers helped to coordinate the day's events. The youthful exuberance and excitement of the children made for a fun, rewarding day for all. Last year's inaugural Children's Christmas Party was held at East Boston Central Catholic Elementary School and was very well-received, yet the Professionals' Team was able to build upon last year's success and make things even bigger and better in 2006!

The Children's Christmas Party is in line with the Professionals' Team mission of enriching the experience of inner-city students and it provides volunteers an exceptional opportunity to interact directly and personally with the children who may be less fortunate this holiday season.