The tradition continues... December 22nd, volunteers will gather at Spiran Hall for a tradition dating back 115 years. This tradition was started that many years ago by Tim Sheehan, who owned Ketchopoulos Market (where Rockport House of Pizza now stands). On Christmas morning, volunteers visit community members 80 years of age or older, shut-ins, residents with illnesses or family deaths, in remembrance with a basket of cookies, candy and fruit. If you look on the wall at Rockport House of Pizza you will see a photo of Henry Haskins with his four horse team, bringing Santa to see the children on Christmas morning, where he hands out bags of goodies. Ray Smith followed that tradition thirty years ago, with four horses pulling Santa to town on Christmas morning. For ten years this tradition of coming together to assemble the baskets and bags has been at Spiran Hall. Over the years before that, volunteers got together at the Fire Station or at private homes. Ray Smith, who was involved in this since he was ten years old, provided the horses for Santa’s carriage ride on Christmas morning for over twenty years. Buddy Woods has been involved in this tradition for about forty years now, and does a wonderful job of coordinating all the volunteers. As many as 600 baskets or more are assembled that night, along with as many as 250 bags or more for the children. A tray will be brought to Den Mar Nursing Home, and deliveries will be made to many private homes as well as Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the Golden Living Center, Childrens Hospital, fifteen will go to Addison Gilbert Hospital, and one will be delivered to a resident at a motel in Gloucester. The entire effort is put together by the Christmas Tree Committee, and exists entirely on donations. They purchase all the supplies for this wonderful tradition with funds donated throughout the year. If you would like to help, donations can be made at Rockport National Bank/Institution for Savings in care of the Christmas Tree Committee.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 12:20:53 +0000
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