BLINN PARTNERS WITH NONPROFIT TO BRIGHTEN CHILDREN’S HOLIDAYS

  

For the fourth consecutive year, Santa captivated 70 toddlers and their siblings at the annual Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Christmas Party held at Blinn College’s Barbara L. Pearson Banquet Room.

Since 2010, Blinn instructors and students have partnered with ECI, a program of Easter Seals of East Texas, to host a Christmas party for children with disabilities or developmental delays and their families. ECI serves infants and toddlers, birth through age 3, and provides personalized developmental services to help children reach their potential through.

While several children let everyone know with a shriek that they preferred Saint Nick remain at a distance, 2-year-old Emelia Alvarado nestled into his velvet lap and locked her eyes on his rosy cheeks. She was so enthralled with his countenance that her mother, Lacy Alvarado, had to shout her name several times before she turned her grin to the camera.

“This is a really great event,” Lacy Alvarado said. “I’m surprised at all the crafts and activities available. It keeps the children busy and incorporated the things that we do in ECI. It’s wonderful that the volunteers actually assist the children instead of doing the activities for them.”

Children scurried from table to table, making reindeer antlers from construction paper, ornaments from cups and stickers, snowmen from socks and other Christmas-themed crafts with the help of Child Development Program students.

“We get as much out of this party as the children do, if not more,” said Amy Jones, Child Development Program coordinator. “This is our opportunity to give back. Most of these students will be working with children and their families in various settings and the ECI Christmas Party allows them to apply concepts they’ve learned in the classroom.”

Students from Blinn’s Child Development and education classes, Future Teachers Organization and the Bryan Collegiate High School Student Council donated books and teddy bears for the children.

“I love being around kids and I just love this event,” said first-year student Rhondie Andersen. “It allows families to come and have fun without worrying about a thing. And the kids—you can tell it’s an awesome time for them. It’s wonderful to play a small part in their development.”

Story Courtesy of Blinn College