Dec. 13 — Christmas with a smile

Seniors receive some surprise gifts at annual holiday party

Chris Albert / of the Herald

The tables were set with miniature Christmas trees, people were getting pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, music was playing and gifts were given at the annual Puyallup Senior Christmas party.

The Dec. 8 event attracted more than 350 senior citizens to the Pioneer Park Pavilion in Puyallup.

“This is their party,” said Senior Services Assistant Trudi Bocott. “This is like being a kid again.”

What makes the event so special is the enthusiasm for Christmas, Bocott said.

“A Touch of Class” provided holiday swing jazz for the occasion.

“The band is wonderful,” Bocott said. “When I ask them they’re on board.”

The 20 piece band is a collection of area musicians who have found the common bond of swing music.

“They have just as much fun as we do,” Bocott said.

The big band music is something they all enjoy, said band director Ray Klein.

“To me it’s a form of music that will never die,” he said.

It’s also music people like Helen and Robin Rathbun couldn’t help but dance to.

The couple is celebrating their first holiday as a married couple. The two met at the senior center and were married Nov. 9.

They spent the day getting pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, visiting with friends and dancing to the tunes.

“We live it,” Helen said. “We love the kids that put it on. They’ve been working for weeks.”

They only wish there were more events like this throughout the year.

“It brings the community together and is a great place to get to know people,” Robin said.

In the Rathbun’s case it even created a love connection. Another couple has been bringing their love for Christmas to the community for years.

David German and Valene Patton have been the Santa and Mrs. Claus for more than 10 years in the annual Santa Parade and for the Senior Christmas Party.

This year, they had a little surprise for those getting their picture taken — each person received a wrapped gift. Mr. and Mrs. Claus, their helper elves and community donations made the 400 wrapped gifts a reality.

“Look at the smiles on people’s faces,” Patton said. “We make a lot of people smile.”

“That’s the big thing for us,” German said.

It took a couple of days to wrap the gifts, but without the generous donations from the community it wouldn’t have happened, Patton said.

Puyallup resident John Hopkins donated more than $950 worth of candles for each present, a donation from Rick Hansen provided dessert for the event and beautician Jenny Rae provided the donation for boxes, plus made sure Santa was well groomed for the occasion, Patton said. There were many others that also made it happen.

“We’re just the face of the donations,” German said.

For Senior Advisory Board member Bonnie Roy the event is truly a festive feeling.

“To me it’s a big celebration,” Roy said. “It’s God’s gift to us.”

The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ bring renewed joy and happiness to people, she said.

“It’s new hope for everybody,” Roy said.

The Puyallup Fire Department did their part in bringing holiday joy to the party. They surprised the seniors with gift cards to the Old Country Buffet and Fred Meyer.

The gift cards were raffled off.

“A lot of these seniors don’t have a lot,” said Captain John Davis. “It just really makes their day to see that someone cares.”