Pendleton teens enjoy Rockin' with Santa party

Forty Camp Pendleton teens (ages 12 to 14) enjoyed an afternoon filled with games, food, raffles, prizes and a bingo tournament at the second annual Rockin’ with Santa Christmas party sponsored by the Fallbrook Woman’s Club on December 20. Held at the Stuart Mesa Community Center on Camp Pendleton, the event was arranged by arranged by Dawn Baker of Camp Pendleton’s Armed Services YMCA. Each teen had either a parent deployed in Iraq or one who had been injured in the line of duty.

The most important event of the day was shopping for Christmas presents for Mom and Dad from tables filled with gifts donated by over 40 Fallbrook merchants and Fallbrook Woman’s Club members. The children “shopped” and wrapped gifts before enjoying a pizza lunch (one whole pizza per teen) provided by FedEx.

FedEx also donated a black and purple backpack for each teen, filled with memorabilia donated by the San Diego Padres: Padres hats, pennants and bracelets. McDonald’s donated a gift certificate and the Fallbrook Woman’s Club a $20 gift certificate, good at any store on Camp Pendleton, for each teen. Other major sponsors included El Toro Market, Vince’s Pizza, Chattels, The Yogurt Palace, Fallbrook Gymnastics Club and Home Town Buffet.

Chocolate-dipped munchies from a chocolate fountain provided by Pat Sica were the grand finale to a special day. Chairwomen for the event were Shirlee Fagan, Loraine Genovese, Linda Gregg and Jane Bongiovanni of the Fallbrook Woman’s Club.