Community Generosity and Holiday Spirit Spreads Cheer to LRCS Families.

Santa was busy at the annual Family Fun Night sponsored by the Family Resource Center.

Lakes Region Community Services relies on the support of donors, volunteers and community partners all year long. But something extra special happens this time of year when so many come together to give children and families a wonderful holiday.

On Monday, Dec. 12, from 5-8 p.m., LRCS’ Family Resource Center, located in downtown Laconia, became a regional outpost of Santa’s North Pole, as volunteers and elves staged a Family Fun Night for area families.

The event, which takes months to organize, gives children access to their own personal elf. Through a penny sale, craft table and wrapping stations, children purchase or make gifts and elves are ready to help wrap. The event was attended by 65 families (112 adults and 147 children), making it the largest Family Fun Night to date.

Finding just the right gift at the Family Fun Night penny sale.

“So much work and planning goes into Family Fun Night, but the results are worth it,” said Family Resource Center Director Erin Pettengill. “We are so grateful to the volunteers and businesses who help us make this happen. We could never do it without them and it means so much to the parents and children.”

Children and their parents were also able to sing along with professional musician Don Bergeron and visit with Santa. All of this activity causes one to work up quite an appetite, so thanks to Fratello’s of Laconia, there was also time to sit and share dinner with other families.

The community has also come out in full force to support the LRCS Giving Tree, which is providing presents to 110 children this year. AFL Noyes of Belmont and the Laconia Rotary Club were major supporters of the Giving Tree. Every child who received presents through the Giving Tree also got a brand new pair of pajamas donated by Service Master Restore. Thanks also go out to SAU 30, the Division of Children Youth and Families, LRCS employees and many community members and businesses for supporting this program.

Randy Brough delivers gifts donated by the Laconia Rotary Club for the Giving Tree to Erin Pettengill of the Family Resource Center.

Family Resource Center Director Erin Pettengill’ s office runs out of floor space as the Giving Tree gifts arrive.