Santa Claus and Capitol City Lodge #2 make Christmas bright
Festive smiles all around

By Jonathan Gramling

Christmas came early to the Masonic Hall of Capitol City Lodge #2 on Blair Street December 13. As
they have done every year, the Masons — with the help of the Order of the Eastern Star — have acted
as Santa’s helpers, raising funds during the year to pay for toys that bring smiles and good cheer to
many a child.
Close to 60 families came to the Hall with the children waiting impatiently for Santa to arrive. And as
Santa sat on his chair, the children pushed forward in excitement and anticipation. Family by family,
the children came up to sit on Santa’s lap and receive their presents and get their photo taken with
Santa.
And when their was a pause in the festivities, Ogadinma Offor got up and sang a Christmas Carol that
melted any lingering cold from the wintery scene outside. It’s melody could infuse even the hardest of
hearts with Christmas cheer.
As the smiling children received their gifts, they filed downstairs for a lunch prepared by the group. And
with the smiles on the faces of the Masons and Eastern Stars, it was readily seen that in giving the gifts
to the children, the Masons had been given a joyous spirit of Christmas. In giving, they did, indeed,
receive.