NFMCA, church host Santa and his elves
In Palmona Park, there are a lot of families struggling with Hurricane Ian’s aftereffects, to the point where some risked not having much of a Christmas.
But Santa Claus came to the rescue.
On Saturday at the NFM Church of the Brethren, Santa Claus arrived with toys for all the good little girls and boys as the North Fort Myers Civic Association held its annual Christmas event.
Civic usually plans a parade through Palmona Park, but with Hurricane Ian debris still lining the streets, it was impossible for Santa’s sleigh to maneuver down the roads. So Civic landed at one location, NFM Church of the Brethren.
Dozens of families came for cookies and cocoa as well as to catch a glimpse of the baby in the manger so children can learn the real meaning of Christmas. They also delighted in crafts and were thrilled at the sight of the All-Superior Auto monster trucks — and, of course, the showstopper, the chance to meet Santa to get a toy and to tell him what is on their list all the while hoping to be on Santa’s good list.
“It’s a community Christmas Festival — kind of like a block party,” Christy-Lee Iwanow, NFMCA vice president, said. “We went stationery this year because of the debris, but the church opened its doors and added to the festival.”
Iwanow added they may return to the parade format next year.
NFM Church of the Brethren presented a nativity scene, complete with wise men, Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus.
“If we were going to do a Christmas celebration, we needed to do what Christmas is all about and that’s the birth of baby Jesus,” said Linda Aiken, who played the angel Gabriel. “The Civic Association was going to do their toy giveaway and this is what we decided to do.”
Patty Chapman and Scott Crowl said the church and the flock does a lot for the community, such as Bible study, a food pantry, free hot dogs on Wednesday and much more.
“We’re trying to make care packages for our grandbabies, Chapman said. “Mine are in Texas, and they lost everything in a hurricane. We’re just trying to get in the spirit. Nothing better than being around people who love God.”
Also on hand was Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman with his family, having fun at the selfie station. Among them was daughter Kaitlyn, 12, who had only one Christmas wish.
“I want all the Harry Potter books and maybe even the movies,” Kaitlyn said. “I like Christmas. It’s about spending time with family and giving gifts and being together. We go to my grandparents’ house, and have a nice dinner with honey baked ham.”
Jacob, 6, is also a Harry Potter fan and wanted anything involving him, though maybe he’s a little young for the books just yet.
Haley Belle Font, 8, had her parents working at the event, with her father playing one of the wise men. She had a short list of things she wanted, with the dolls she received from Santa knocking one item off the list.
“I want something from the Bradford Wolff Collection, that’s really expensive. I want a squishymallow, a giant box of candy like last year, and my own room,” Haley Belle said, who added that she knew the meaning of Christmas.
For more on the North Fort Myers Civic Association, go to nfmcivic.com.
NFM Church of the Brethren is at 1691 Pacific Ave. in North Fort Myers. For more information, call 471-2787 or visit https://www.facebook.com/NFMCOBFL/.