McDaniel College celebrates the holiday season with the Boys & Girls Club of Westminster

Nearly 180 Boys & Girls Club members attended McDaniel’s annual holiday party, which included arts and crafts activity stations, a special visit from Mrs. Claus and North Pole elves, along with a special gift.

Mrs Claus and McDaniel students — Ellie Glass, sophomore from Spring Grove, Pa., with Mrs. Claus and a North Pole elf, along with Piper Fox, first year student from Honolulu, Hawaii, and Jeremy Volker, sophomore from Halethorpe, Md.

McDaniel College celebrated the holiday season with the Boys & Girls Club of Westminster.

Kramoh Mansalay, junior from Darby, Pa., with Daniel, 7 — Junior Kramoh Mansalay with Daniel, 7.

Nearly 180 Boys & Girls Club members participated in food, song and various arts and crafts activity stations during the event organized by McDaniel College's Center for Experience and Opportunity and the President's Office.

Mrs. Claus and North Pole elves also made an appearance and surprised each Boys & Girls Club member with a sweatshirt supported by donations from McDaniel College students, staff, and faculty.

The annual holiday party began in 2011 to celebrate the partnership between McDaniel and the Boys & Girls Club. McDaniel students have been involved in a number of initiatives with the Boys & Girls Club, including serving as mentors, academic tutors and program facilitators at the club.

Boys & Girls Club members Andrea, 13, and Emma, 12 pose with their sweatshirts.

Alison Weinberger, sophomore from Silver Spring, Md., with Camden, 9 — Alison Weinberger, sophomore from Silver Spring, Md., with Boys & Girls Club member Camden, 9.

Raquel Sobczak, senior from Severna Park, Md., with Jayden, 6 — Raquel Sobczak, senior from Severna Park, Md., with Boys & Girls Club member Jayden, 6.

Sage Wann, sophomore from New Market, Md., with Tucker, 6 — Sage Wann, sophomore from New Market, Md., with Boys & Girls Club members Jaxon, 7, and Tucker, 6.

Bria Hill, first-year student from Waldorf, Md., with Ortez, 9 — Bria Hill, first-year student from Waldorf, Md., with Boys & Girls Club member Ortez, 9.

Kyra Banks, junior from Germantown, Md., with Evelyn, 10 — Boys and Girls Club member Evelyn, 10, and Kyra Banks, junior from Germantown, Md.

Hand painting — Boys & Girls Club members enjoyed various arts and crafts activity stations at the event.