Putnam Family & Community Services Partnership Hosts Annual Children's Holiday Party

From Putnam Family and Community Services: A joint community partnership brought Putnam County youth and their families together for a night filled with food, fun and festivities. As members of the Children’s Coordinated Services Initiative (CCSI), Putnam Family & Community Services (PFCS), Green Chimneys Community Based Services, and the Putnam County Youth Bureau teamed once again on December 6th to host their annual children’s holiday party.

More than 80 people--children, parents, and caretakers--gathered at the Mahopac Fire Department to celebrate the holiday season. In cooperation with the Toys for Tots Foundation, a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, gifts were distributed to all children in attendance, brightening their holidays and putting smiles on their faces. The holiday craft table was a big hit this year as children created holiday gifts for friends and family.

Many generous donations made this wonderful evening possible, including funds to buy gift cards for the older children and food for holiday dinners. A special thank you goes to the Brewster Rotary for providing the wonderful buffet dinner and Ace Endico for supplying the delicious dessert.

The CCSI team includes Christina McGuigan, Connie Chin, Stephanie Roberts, Wanda Crowley, Suleiska Richardson, Jenna Tompkins, and Raleighn Williams from PFCS; Dawn Mullins from the Putnam County Department of Mental Health; and Eva Ziggaro, Nicole Dwyer, Erin Dommermuth, and Claire Ragano from Green Chimneys. Along with Joseph A. DeMarzo, Deputy Commissioner of Social Services, Mental Health and Youth Bureau for Putnam County, the team came together to provide a great night of community, gift giving, and fun.

“The families we serve through the CCSI program always say that this event is the highlight of their holiday season,” said Christina McGuigan, PFCS Coordinator of Community Based Services. “Everyone has a wonderful time, and the children are so excited to enjoy the night with their families and receive very special gifts. We all feel and share the joy and gratitude of the season.”

Photos courtesy of Putnam Family and Community Services (Stephanie Matthews, Christina McGuigan, Jenna Tompkins, Dawn Mullins, Connie Chin, Raleighn Williams, Wanda Crowley.

Christina McGuigan, PFCS Coordinator of Community Services, and Joseph A. DeMarzo, Deputy Commissioner of Social Services, Mental Health, and Youth Bureau for Putnam County)