Jaycees, Local Businesses Help 30 Kids Enjoy Proper Christmas

Thirty area children were given a proper Christmas on Saturday, thanks to the Rochester Area Junior Chamber's annual Christmas Shopping Tour.

The Rochester Area Neighborhood House identified for the Jaycees 30 children in need who were paired with volunteers to shop for gifts for their family members at Meijer on Rochester Road, according to Rochester Hills City Council Vice President Michael Webber, who co-chaired the event with his wife, Julia. 

Students from Oakland University Chaldean American Student Association assisted the Jaycees with the event.

After the shopping was finished, the children were transported to the Older Persons’ Commission for a Christmas party where they wrapped gifts, played games, worked on crafts and enjoyed a pizza lunch, Webber said. Santa Claus made a special visit and passed out gifts and stockings to the children.

Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan K. Barnett provided the pizza and pop during lunch. In addition, the children received hand-knitted hats and scarves from the OPC.

The Rochester Area Junior Chamber received help and donations from Five Star Connection, Inc.; Dr. Steven P. Utecht and Mrs. Patricia Utecht; Mr. Donald and Nancy Ritter; Mr. Robert and Nancy Webber; The George Seifert and Elizabeth Seifert Foundation; Dr. Ricardo A. Yuzon, P.C.; Fox Optical; Oakland Animal Hospital; Gofrank and Mattina, P.C.; Huntington Ford; Potere-Modetz Funeral Home, Inc.; and Paint Creek United Methodist Church.