Galway Mayor's Santa Visit was the 'Icing on the Cake' at Eglinton's Christmas Party!

Just before Christmas, an exciting fun-packed party was held in the Eglinton Asylum Seekers Hotel organised by the hard-working residents' support committee. There were hundreds of gift- wrapped presents for all our young people (from the newly born to the older teenagers); lashings of food and drink; colourful wall/ceiling decorations; seasonal music playing in all the public rooms; a films show; the performing antics of the Snow Queen (Karen Winner) and her troupe of gorgeous female fairies; a Christmas Tree at reception decorated by the children under the supervision of Huda Sabah; a children's choir; and a foot-stomping discoteque for all ages with our very own charismatic D.J. -Joy Obeto. Dozens of residents dressed up in exotic native costume or appeared brilliantly disguised as fairies and elves. Children's faces were painted in glorious techno-colours by Natalia Vershinn.
But the occasion was really topped off by the arrival of the Mayor of Galway City in the guise of Santa Claus!! Mayor Niall O Brolchain arrived in his chauffeur-drive limousine in the red clothes and white beard looking every inch 'Father Christmas'. He was formally received in the foyer by the Children's Choir and almost 200 happy hand-clapping residents.
He was then escorted to the playroom to take his position in a specially constructed huge grotto where he stayed for 2 hours giving out advice and toys to each and everyone of the 80 or so young residents of the Eglinton.
Thanks to the efforts of Eglinton employee Lubomir Hrivnik, all can enjoy the photographs of this memorable festive event at http://galwayasylumseekersxmas.blogspot.com

A Big Thank You (Go raibh míle maith agat = Irish) to all the volunteers who gave so much time and effort free of charge that ensured the event was such a wonderful success story...
...the organising committee who did such a wonderful job..Joy, Jipi, Helen, Huda, Adil, Dmitry, Natalia, Maria, Nikki, Breege Nichol, Carole Raftery, Brendan Smith, Adrienne Lynam, Karen Winner & Maeve Geraghty
...Karen Winner and her crew for all her fantastic inputs (grotto, costumes, games...)
...the Friendship Club who called to so mamy premises for the the toys and presents distributed at the party...
...Carole and the staff/management at the Eglinton for the fine food, wine & so much more...
..Joy for the music
...Dmitriy for the film show
...Natalia, Maria & Huda for the face painting
...Adil, Dmitriy, Helen, Nikki for the wall/ceiling decorations
...Brendan for securing the Mayor, films and acting as an elf on the day
...Adrienne, Huda & Maeve for their herculean tasks in gift wrapping & acting as Santa's trusty helpers
...Huda for painting the window murals & thousand things more
-Jipi for actings as usher and MC
-Ludo and Rado for the photography
-Brandi, Max but especially Carole, Huda & Ljiljana for the big clean-up after the party
Finally a big hug to Maeve Geraghty & Helena Heagney for securing the vital funds to pay for the essentials.