Forum photo by Patricia Adams
Santa welcomed hundreds of children during an early visit to Russo’s on the Bay Tuesday afternoon
By Patricia Adams
Hundreds of community residents, with eager children in tow, descended upon Russo’s on the Bay on Tuesday, when Santa stopped by Howard Beach for an early visit.
Children from Howard Beach and neighboring communities were treated to an afternoon of pictures with Santa, hot chocolate and of course Christmas cookies.
This is the eighth year that Frank Russo has opened the doors of his iconic catering hall to celebrate the Christmas season with the communities he says, “have supported what we do for decades.”
Forum photo courtesy of Russo’s
Santa got extra help this year from Russo’s little baking elves, who worked on over three hundred beautifully decorated Christmas cookies to dole out to kids from all over who came for pictures with Santa and special surprises at Russo’s on the Bay for their Eighth Annual Visit with Santa event
The idea for the day started during a conversation Russo was having with his staff, all those years ago, when he expressed the desire to do something for the kids in the community. “Mr. Russo is always thinking of ways to give back,” Priscilla Dolce told The Forum. Dolce is the event concierge and is often witness to what she refers to as “the bosses excitement over these projects.” “He was very excited over the prospect of filling the place [Russo’s on the Bay], with kids, but we really never expected the type of reaction we’ve had to this event.”
And so on Tuesday, families found themselves in a winter wonderland, surrounded by beautifully appointed Christmas trees and garland. Snowmen and elves walked around to greet visitors while they waited for Santa.
Guests took their own photos and were also given free printed copies of those taken by Russo’s. Upon leaving, everyone was presented with framed photos and their choice of a beautifully decorated Christmas cookie–– not just your run of the mill Christmas confection, but rather another labor of love from Russo’s. On the day before the event, about a dozen children of Russo employees made use of one of the hall’s kitchens and baked and decorated over three hundred cookies for the event.
For anyone who missed the event, the opportunity will present itself again next year according to the man responsible for the hundreds of smiles seen throughout the day. Standing off to the side, just watching the day unfold, Frank Russo made clear why he does it, “Because this is what Christmas is.”
