December 12, 2010. An annual event at Christmas, the Red Bank Elks Lodge #233 was host to a big bash for handicapped kids. The party included the Christmas Band, food, beverages, singing, dancing, Santa, gifts and the ever popular "Twelfth day of Christmas" contest. The contest consisted of 12 tables of kids and each table was assigned to one of the days, for example: "Partridge in a Pear Tree". As the song progressed through the twelve days, the table with the loudest kids won prizes.
The Rich Marzec Christmas band, was humorously referred to as "The Red Roosters", by Butch, the Elks MC. Butch did a marvelous job of leading the afternoon's entertainment.
As a band member, I took some photos before we started playing. Marilyn Reck also helped with the picture taking.
Our audio recording specialist, Hank Sherman, made some band member sound bytes.
This Elks lady was kind enough to take a group photo of the band.
The Elks provided clowns and very recognizable characters that the kids loved.
The music and dancing took a break for food and beverage. Band members, who usually retire to the basement, were served along with the kids because of renovations in the basement.
When the festivities resumed, and the song "Santa Claus is coming to town", was playing, Santa arrived to the cheers of the kids. Every single kid had a chance to chat with Santa and Santa gave each kid a shopping bag of Christmas presents.
For band members, it was a most rewarding experience.
