By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
As 2020 draws to a close, a new organization in Baldwinsville is hoping to spread some holiday cheer and bring “a little bit of normalcy” to local families.
The Bville Connection will host “A Drive-Thru Christmas Celebration!” Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Fireside Inn. Net proceeds from the event will benefit the Baldwinsville Christmas Bureau.
“Our goal is to work with other established local not-for-profits to help them fundraise,” said Kim Lane, president of The Bville Connection board of directors. “A lot of times, we’re finding that nonprofits want to put on community events but they lack the manpower.”
The Bville Connection: A Drive-Thru Christmas Celebration!
WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6
WHERE: Fireside Inn, 2347 W. Genesee St., Baldwinsville
INFO: Order dinner from the Fireside Inn and enjoy a socially distanced visit with Santa Claus and Royal Promise Productions’ Winter Sisters (inspired by “Frozen”). Katrina Lynne StoryOgraphy will provide photos with Santa. Masks are required. Adult dinners are $15, children’s dinners are $10; price includes photo with Santa and a take-home winter craft. Visit facebook.com/events/2721233984857957/ to purchase tickets and sign up for a time slot. Net proceeds will be donated to the Baldwinsville Christmas Bureau via the Baldwinsville Volunteer Center.
The pandemic has put a damper on many fundraisers as well, leaving organizations struggling in a difficult time.
Enter The Bville Connection.
“We’re kind of like the party planners,” Lane said. “Our goal is to bridge resources and people together.”
For the organization’s first event, The Bville Connection is partnering with the Fireside Inn, which has been steadily providing takeout to the B’ville community throughout the pandemic.
“They’ve got this down to a science: how to package things so it’s still good and warm when you get home,” she said.
As families pick up their dinners, they can have their photo taken with Santa Claus (at a safe distance and wearing masks) courtesy of Katrina Lynne StoryOgraphy.
“There probably won’t be the mall Santas that we’re used to,” Lane said, so The Bville Connection wanted to give families a safer option to meet the jolly old elf.
The Bville Connection is also collecting letters to send to Santa at the North Pole.
“We’ll make sure they get to the big guy,” Lane said.
Joining Santa and one of his elves are two special guests from Royal Promise Productions, a new character entertainment company. The “Winter Sisters” — whom kids will recognize as two queens from a popular Disney franchise — will greet guests in their cars and direct them to where they need to go.
“[They] get to bring the holiday joy, that little extra spark of holiday magic,” Lane said.
Finally, families will get to take home a holiday craft to put together after dinner. The Fireside Inn is also selling $20 sugar cookie decorating kits, and all of the proceeds from the kits will go to the Baldwinsville Christmas Bureau.
The Bville Connection is in need of volunteers for the holiday drive-thru and future events. To learn more, visit facebook.com/thebvilleconnection.
