Christmas joy came early as hundreds of people attended the 29th annual Gift of Time program last Saturday at Lancaster High School. Families with children spent a few hours making holiday crafts, participating in special activities, and receiving free gifts such as a gingerbread house kit, books, coloring books, and enjoying complimentary services such as manicures. Santa Claus made a special appearance, too. The traditional event also coincided with the annual Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast.
Gift of Time was sponsored by Fairfield County Early Childhood Association, Kiwanis, CareSource, Meijer, and Fairfield County Foundation. However, more than twenty five local vendors and partners in Fairfield County provided goods and services for the Gift of Time event. Additionally, several LHS club members and athletes volunteered to help. The event was free and open to the public.
The president of FCECA Laurie B. Clark said there was an increase in family participation that exceeded their expectations.
“We had 355 children in attendance and 375 caregivers, for a total of 730 participants. That’s not including the 131 total community partners and volunteers, adults and children! To put that into perspective, we had 499 children and caregivers in 2022,” she said.
Pickerington resident Seth Pardee, who has four daughters who are nine and younger, said he and his wife brought children to the Gift of Time event to enjoy crafting together and to spend time with other children. Gift of Time created a special quiet hour before the event for children with sensory issues to make crafts.
“We really wanted to get the kids out of the house and have them experience other kids. We want them to socialize and they are really enjoying it,” he said.
Lancaster resident Tesila Wetzel brought her six children to make crafts and visit Santa Claus.
“We have been coming to Gift of Time for seven or eight years. We keep coming back because the kids really enjoy it,” she said.
Wetzel’s children said they had fun visiting with Santa and all of them asked him for a Nintendo Switch.
LHS senior Dylan Bird volunteered to represent the LHS National Honor Society by handing out free books to children. He said that he really enjoyed seeing a lot of kids getting into the holiday spirit and that he thinks it’s necessary to volunteer.
“Being an athlete, we ask the community for support and it is important to pay it back to the community. Kids are having fun and it’s important for them to read,” he said.
LHS sophomore Lilly Golden helped out at the pancake breakfast. She represented the LHS Key Club.
“It’s important to help the community and it feels really good to volunteer. People here are so nice, helpful, and appreciative. I am really enjoying this,” she said.
The principal of Tarhe Trails Elementary School Jake Campbell said that his family has been attending the Kiwanis pancake breakfast for decades. He said that he remembers attending the event as a child growing up in the Lancaster community. This year, three generations of the Campbell family came to LHS to enjoy the pancake breakfast.
“It has been a tradition for the whole family for more than thirty years,” he said.
Clark said the event would not be possible without the support of the community partners, volunteers, and the donations they received from community businesses and organizations.
“This event is near and dear to many who participate, volunteers and families alike. It allows the community to slow down, enjoy some pancakes from Kiwanis Pancake Festival and take a stroll around the school to enjoy the many activities and offerings geared toward encouraging families to continue to give the best gift they have to their children . . . the Gift of Time,” she said.
