Christmas event brings holiday cheer to families in need

Teagan Phillips, left, shows off her mermaid balloon to Princess Ariel on Saturday at the Sixth Annual Combat Radio Christmas Event for Social Services. Samie Gebers/ Signal
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Combat Radio in partnership with Salt Creek Grille hosted the Sixth Annual Combat Radio Christmas Event for Social Services for families that could use a little holiday cheer.

“It’s geared towards children in need,” said Lota Hadley-Dettenmaier, an organizer coordinator and part of the non-profit organization Make the World a Better Place.

“It is a community event,” said Ethan Dettenmairer, a producer at Combat Radio and organizer. “The majority of the crowd that we bus in ‘Polar Express style’ is homeless or close to it.”

Breakfast, presents and an appearance from Santa Claus were all put in place to bring the Christmas spirit to “the people that could use a little kindness,” said Ethan Dettenmairer.

A line of characters ranging from Stromtroopers to princesses also met attendees.

Lourdes Silva, left, shows her new toy to princesses on Saturday at the 6th Annual Combat Radio Christmas Event for Social Services. Samie Gebers/ Signal
Lourdes Silva, left, shows her new toy to princesses on Saturday at the Sixth Annual Combat Radio Christmas Event for Social Services. Samie Gebers/ Signal

“We’ve seen Transformers, Star Wars characters, all of the Princesses and Anna braided Teagan’s (his daughter’s) hair for her,” said Leon Phillips, who took his children to the event with the goal of getting into the holiday mood.

About 350 tickets were given out for the Christmas event.

”It’s a good way to come together, participate and help out. It’s good for us,” said Guadalupe Corona, a participant that brought his family out for the Christmas fun.

The event was started six years ago by Lota and Ethan Dettenmairer’s 7-year old daughter when she said that she wanted to do something for the homeless.

“I said that that’s a little ambitious for us, a middle class family, but I think we can do Christmas for people who lost their houses. Now, six years later, you’ve got this (event),” said Ethan Dettenmairer.

Proceeds from the silent auction, raffle tickets and donations all went towards Make the World a Better Place.

“It’s not really a barn–burning fundraiser because most of the crowd is social service driven,” said Etha Dettenmairer. “But we do what we can, as much as we can.”

Kathy Blinn poses with her granddaughter, Anaya. Samie Gebers/ Signal
Kathy Blinn poses with her granddaughter, Anaya on Saturday at the Sixth Annual Combat Radio Christmas Event for Social Services. Samie Gebers/ Signal

While many attendees are getting into the spirit of Christmas through Santa Claus and presents, others are finding it a little differently.

“We always bring gifts and donations for the kids,” says Ronen Rozner, who has been attending for a few years.

“It’s a great cause and that’s the heart of what Christmas means.”

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