CENTER – On Monday, Dec. 16, the Center Viking Youth Club held its annual Christmas Dinner, and this year they served delicious pancakes. Santa Claus was at the dinner and handed out gifts to children.  

The dinner was inside the Center Viking Youth Club building. It was decked out with Christmas decorations galore and had a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Tables in the dining hall were set up end-to-end for the attendees. 

The children in attendance were smiling as they spoke with Santa, sat with their pancake plates, and chased each other outside in front of the club.  

According to Viking Youth Club director, Carmen Pavlovksy more than 200 people attended the event. She was excited about the event and happy to see a good turnout.  

Mariano Maldonado, a teacher at the Viking Club, spoke about the event, “This is our annual Christmas event here at the Center Viking Youth Club. What we do is every year we have a big celebration for the entire community. We have Santa here to give presents to the children. This year we had a pancake dinner. We are a non-profit organization. Everything we do, well we operate off donations and grants, so this is our big fundraiser for the year. The kids really enjoyed it tonight. They got to see Santa and take pictures with Santa. We have had raffles, and local vendors give us donations to raffle off this evening as well, that was a big help. Paula Alvarez was someone who helped us with a lot of donations tonight as well for the raffle, we thank her.” 

Maldonado explained that this year was the first year that they had ever had a pancake dinner, as the past few years the club had made menudo. Maldonado said he feels the pancake dinner was a good choice and a success.  

Maldonado added that the Center Kiwanis Club donated the pancake mix and syrup. He feels that the kids are really going to remember this year’s dinner because they enjoyed the dinner and got to spend time with most everyone in their community, including Santa.  

Alvarez, who helped with donations for the raffle and is also a board member at the club, said, “I think it’s important for people to see what we are doing for the kids in our community. We have a great board and amazing staff, and we all care so much about our children and families in our community. The club provides a safe place while parents are at work. No one really sees how much work goes into running the club. You could obviously see that the kids enjoy having a place to go, where they know they are safe. You see the turnout that we had tonight. That goes to show that we are doing a good job, and we are working on bringing the community together. That’s why it’s important for the community to support the club by making donations.”  

Sulema Villagomez was at the pancake dinner with her granddaughter and said, “My Chiquita (little one) is sure having fun tonight. I think she got most of the syrup in her hair, instead of in her belly, but she loves pancakes. The club does a good thing for our little town, they help take care of our precious babies. I am thankful that the club is here, and we were able to bring the kids out to enjoy this night and eat, it’s a good cause you know.”  

The Center Viking Youth Club is a nonprofit organization that provides children with a safe environment to play, learn, and thrive in. The club is always accepting donations and is currently seeking donations to help replace the carpet in the club. To donate, visit their website at www.centervikingyouthclub.com or call 719-937-5093, for more information.