Warsaw Lions Club donates to River View FFA
The Warsaw Lions Club recently made a donation to River View High School FFA to help with its annual “A Touch of Country Christmas.” Pictured from left are: RVHS teachers Jim Rich and Allyssa McMullen and Bob Buxton from the Lions Club. Josie Sellers | Beacon
WARSAW – For at least the last 10 years, the Warsaw Lions Club has been donating to River View FFA and Higher Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center during the annual “A Touch of Country Christmas” which was held on Tuesday, Dec. 20 after having to be rescheduled due to inclement weather.
“We just try as the Lions Club to do worthwhile projects in the community throughout the year,” said Bob Buxton, president of the Warsaw Lions Club. “We know what this program is all about and how many young lives it affects.”
The club donated $500 to each organization to help “A Touch of Country Christmas” keep going every year.
“It is a very generous donation they make and it makes it possible to add to the program every year,” said Allyssa McMullen, River View FFA advisor.
The program, now in its 18th year, started on Jim Rich’s Christmas tree farm many years ago.
“My wife started it and called it ‘A Touch of Country Christmas’,” said Rich. “When I sold the farm, I brought it here to River View.”
Out at the farm, the event featured a petting zoo, Santa Claus made his grand appearance through a thicket of Christmas trees, and there was an open house where Rich’s wife would open up the old farm house to visitors and make cookies and pumpkin rolls for guests.
“It was fun to see all the people,” said Rich.
This year’s “A Touch of Country Christmas” featured a DIY ornament for kids, pony rides, refreshments, and visiting Santa and his sleigh.
“We do it because we really want to bring the Christmas spirit to the younger members of the community,” said McMullen. “The high school kids, this is one of their favorite projects all year.”
The event also featured live Christmas trees. The one beside of Santa’s workshop was donated by Scheetz Tree Farm and the others were purchased by Rich from a local tree farm.
Setting up for the event takes about two weeks and the volunteers try to make it different every year.
“Some of the students come for two or three years, so we try to make it different every year so the kids can have a new experience,” said McMullen.
On Tuesday night, the event was open to the public from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
“I want to say thank you to Tom Roahrig for bringing in the ponies and to the Warsaw Lions Club for their donation,” said McMullen.
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