The Annual Senior Citizens Christmas Party hosted by the Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center was outstanding, entertaining, and more comfortable than ever before which equates to another big success. Every senior in attendance for the first time had an individual chair for seating at the event held at Independence High School.
The Party had a number of contributors who donated prizes or services as gifts for the seniors in attendance. They include the following local organizations. Manchester Auto and Tire, Mint Hill Times, Blessed Assurance Adult Day Care, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, Chick-Fil-A-Albemarle Road, Create A Video, First National Bank, Food Lion-Mint Hill, J-Bird’s Burger Jointe, Leon Hill Interiors, Earp’s BP, The Town of Mint Hill, and the UPS Store-Mint Hill.
The Senior Christmas Party Committee consisting of Mike Cochrane, Tony Long, Andy Wood, Troy Pollard, Shirley Kiser, Nancy Whitley, Carol Blackwelder, Sally Farris, and Fran Harris organized and delivered a pleasurable and first-class event accommodating 500 plus senior citizens.
All the seniors were welcomed at the entrance door and were requested to take a photo with Santa. The jolly old elf was in good spirits and certainly ready for the holiday.
The event began promptly at 11:00 a.m., Joy Greear, President, Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center, and Chamber President welcomed all the distinguished senior guests sitting in the audience.
Other guest speakers included Mayor Ted Biggers, Police Chief Tim Ledford, Fire Chief David Leath, and David Legrand, Principal of Independence High School. Chief Ledford, led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, while the Independence High School Air Force JROTC cadets performed the Color Guard duty. The invocation was then given by Reverend Will Stoneham.
The Master of Ceremonies was now introduced by Mike Cochrane. Charlotte’s weatherman for the past 25 years Larry Sprinkle, WCNC – NBC 6 took over the festivities and spiced up the event for the remaining 90 minutes telling stories, introducing the entertainment, and giving out prize drawings.
At attendance were Miss Mint Hill Scholarship Pageant Winners, Miss Mint Hill, Alexandria Franks, Riley York, Miss Teen Mint Hill, Brinley Hucks, Young Miss, Kormey Williams, Community Queen, and Rylee Humphries, 2019 Baby Miss Mint Hill.
The Pope Family provided music, while the Mint Hill Dance Center performed various high energy dance routines with young ladies between the ages of 6-16.
The raffle drawings continued with the seniors anxiously awaiting to receive some good fortune if their winning number was selected by one of the Pageant Winners. The closing hymn was Joy to the World, a sing-a-long led by Ann Cochrane. The closing prayer was given by Reverend Bruce Pope, Golden Acres Baptist Church.
As the crowd headed to the exits, a take-a-way gift bag was given to each senior filled with popcorn, banana, calendars, pens, and many other useful items the guests of honor could use when they return home.
This year’s Senior Christmas Party was another success, a lot of work goes into such an event to be successful. The seniors genuinely enjoyed the festivities, they really liked sitting in the new chairs, and most of all they were sincerely appreciative of spending a few hours out with their peers and with the youth from our community.
Finally, a special thank you should be extended to the Boy Scouts, there were four troops on hand to serve the guests, the JROTC for their participation, the Mint Hill Dance Center who put smiles on the seniors faces, the food servers and all the volunteers to make this such an enjoyable and memorable occasion for our local seniors.
