NEW BOSTON COMMUNITY STEPS UP FOR CHILDREN AT CHRISTMAS

Every year since I have been on Village Council, I have had the privilege of working with three of the most satisfying projects any community can offer its citizens.

The annual Breakfast with Santa, which is put on by the mayor along with village council and local community leaders is a great way to start the holiday season.  Each year the number of pancake and breakfast sausage meals seem to increase as this year it is estimated we served between 500-600 people.  A Santa Claus is available giving out gifts to each child who shows up and the fellowship and fun make the morning the start to a great day.

Over the last three years, New Boston has began an annual Christmas parade.  The parade gets bigger each year, goes through the village and has entries from all over Scioto County as well as parts of Kentucky.  There were approximately 70 units in the parade this year and next year it is expected to be bigger.   The streets are lined with children and adults cheering and at the fire station Santa Claus meets with children after the parade and cookies and hot chocolate are served.

Probably the oldest tradition in New Boston is the annual Police/Fire Children's Christmas Toy Drive.  Local vendors and citizens donate money and toys to the drive each year and employees and volunteers donate their time wrapping the gifts for families who submit their children's names for gifts.  One day close to Christmas, personnel from the police, fire and village council go throughout the village with Santa Claus passing out the gifts at the children's homes.   Additional gifts are bought for children outside the village and are picked up at the police station by families.

These three events are just another example of how the New Boston community reaches out to its children each year.   I have been so privileged to work with the great police, fire and service department staffs which go above and beyond to make Christmas special for so many people. 

There are a lot of great things coming to New Boston in the next year, its going to be a great time to live in the village and a great time to raise your children there as well.  Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Mike Payton
12-24-2012