By Carol McCracken
She’s been doing it for 35 years now, but Marie Trott never grows tired of her annual Christmas party for underprivileged children living on the Hill. Each year it has grown – from about twenty-five the first year – to about one hundred this year. The first year the party was held in her home and for the last three years now, it’s been held at the Root Cellar on Washington Avenue on the Hill.
“I look forward to these kids every year – giving them pizza, hot dogs, and especially when Santa arrives,” Marie said. She asks the children to sit in a circle, clap their hands and stomp their feet and to listen for bells ringing. Eventually, they hear tiny, tiny bells ringing in the distance . They get louder and louder. All of a sudden Santa arrives with all his presents. Each child has a picture taken of himself with Santa to take home. And each child receives a present or two or three depending on how much money the Munjoy Hill Mother’s Club has raised. Another Christmas party on the Hill to be cherished by all involved.
Marie has put out a collection jar at Colucci’s Market on North Street. The jar will be there until December 19th to receive your donations. If you do not shop there, you can still contribute to this long-time tradition on the Hill. The names of the children eligible to be invited to the Christmas party are provided by the East End Community School on the Hill. About l/3 of the children are repeats from year to year.
Marie says she is slowing down a little after thirty-five years of organizing. Fortunately, she has a large family that is getting more involved each year. (Nine children, twenty-seven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.) MHN expects it will take all of them and more to duplicate the massive effort of Marie Trott over these years! If MHN readers can help “Mrs. Santa Claus of the Hill,” it would be appreciated.
Please visit www.mhnckids@yahoo.com Or please call Marie at 772-8799 if you can give Marie and her Elves a hand.
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