It’s that time of year again when I ask my friends and family to help me host our annual Christmas Party for people with disabilities. Our family has been holding this event for 44 years and a couple of our guests have been coming almost that long, all of them from Tierra Del Sol – a wonderful place that my sister Anna loved so much.

This group is comprised of exceptionally disabled men and women who range in age from 25 to 70. The party will be held on Sunday, Dec. 3 at Healy Hall at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2411 Montrose Ave. in Montrose, starting at noon. For many of these individuals this is their only holiday celebration, and they look forward to it all year long. Our goal is to provide them a wonderful afternoon serving them lunch and playing some games. We top off the party with a visit from Santa. Every year we have been able to give each of our guests a shopping bag full of gifts … which for many of them is Christmas … and some will take this precious bag home to open on Christmas morning.

What I’m asking for from each of you is simple. Start the holiday season by helping me share with these wonderful people what the true meaning of Christmas is. If you can come … come help us that afternoon. If you can’t come, you can help by providing us with one new wrapped gift that could be given that day to one of our guests. It could be anything appropriate for a man or a woman … just make sure it’s new. Wrap it, label it and drop if off to me. If I’m not home, leave it on the porch. The cost of the item is insignificant; I have learned from my many years with this special group they are truly happy with anything. If your time warrants helping in a different way you can help by donating any amount to help underwrite the cost of lunch, which is totally funded by donations year to year.

I thank you in advance for making a difference during this special time of year. We will remember my sister Anna this day and how much she always loved this party. We also remember my dad, Vito Cannella, who started this tradition decades ago and we honor him by serving others. With all of my love and appreciation … and an early Merry Christmas to all of you!

Grace Chase
Montrose