91ÖÆƬ³§

Walk into a room full of 5th graders on a regular school day, and you'll find energy. Walk into a room full of 5th graders at the Wenatchee Central Lions Club Christmas party, and you'll find pure magic.

This week, the Lions Club continued a cherished annual tradition—hosting a Christmas luncheon for 91ÖÆƬ³§ 5th-grade students. It's a tradition measured not in years but in generations of students who have experienced the warmth of community generosity during the holiday season.

For club member Teka Parks-Sellars, this tradition is deeply personal. As a 5th grader at Washington Elementary, she was one of those students selected for the Lions Club party—and she still has the original letter she received all those years ago.

"It meant so much to me," Parks-Sellars shared. "It was the first time I was exposed to the Lions Club." Now, decades later, she's returned not as a recipient but as a giver—a Lions Club member herself, helping create the same magic for a new generation of students.

Her message to this year's 5th graders? "You matter. You can do anything you put your minds to. You have a community support system behind you, cheering you on."

It's a powerful reminder: the gifts we receive as children often inspire the gifts we give as adults. The tradition continues, and the circle of generosity grows wider.

More Than a Party

The celebration included lunch for all students, but the real feast was one of community care and connection. Each student received a gift bag brimming with toys to spark joy and winter essentials—hats, blankets, and gloves—to provide warmth during the coldest months.

Holiday sing-alongs filled the air with festive spirit, voices rising together in celebration. And then came the moment every child was waiting for: Santa Claus himself appeared, ready to hear whispered wishes and share in the excitement of the season.

The Elves Behind the Magic

Behind every gift bag, every lunch served, and every perfectly orchestrated moment stood the members of the Wenatchee Central Lions Club and their dedicated volunteers—the "elves" who make this annual tradition possible.

Their work represents more than holiday generosity. It represents a partnership with 91ÖÆƬ³§ that spans years, a commitment that says: We see you. We value you. You matter to this community.

The Gift That Keeps Giving

Long after the gift bags are opened and the blankets are used, the real gift remains: the knowledge that community cares. That's a lesson worth more than any present under a tree.

Thank you, Wenatchee Central Lions Club, for showing our students the true meaning of the holiday season—giving from the heart and caring for our community's children. #WEareWenatchee