VOL 3 No. 52
Phone: 281-980-6745
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2010
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
Exchange Club of Sugar Land gives over 10,000 toys to needy children Santa’s Exchange gave out over 10,000 toys on Dec. 18 to underprivileged families for Christmas. This was a major logistical effort over several months and was successfully executed as a result of the tremendous effort of the hundreds of volunteers, who were on hand. The Exchange Club of Sugar Land appreciates the exemplary volunteerism from the high school students of Fort Bend Baptist Academy, Elkins High School, Dulles High School, Clements High School, Bush High School, Austin High School, Travis High School, Hightower High School and Kempner High School. In addition, credit goes to the middle school students of Sartartia Middle School, Sugar Land Middle School, Fort Settlement Middle School, First Colony Middle School and Garcia Middle School. The success of this massive effort, in terms of logistics and the coordination of thousands of deserving families occurred as the results of the volunteers from the community-based organizations. Santa’s Exchange recognizes and congratulates Sugar Land
Rotary Club, Girls and Boys Scouts, Jain Society, Masonic Lodge, the youths of Jack and Jill of America, Sugar Land Chapter, and the 60 volunteers of Sugar Land Exchange Club. The First Colony Church of Christ provided its beautiful facility. Subway provided over 200, free sandwiches for lunch on a last-minute, rescue call. Santa’s Exchange, coordinated by The Exchange Club of Sugar Land, had a record-breaking turnout of deserving families receiving over 10,000 donated toys. In its fifteen-plus years, Santa Exchange processed a record-setting turnout of families, children and volunteers. Despite the unusually cold morning, many families were camped out before the doors opened. Waiting inside were the popular toys that children yearn for this Christmas. As the doors opened, families registered at the check-in desk. The children were escorted to the daycare center by the Boy Scouts, where they received snacks, were shown to a TV room with holiday videos, and met Santa Claus who was waiting to listen to their gift wishes.
New Year’s eve at the Town Square Sugar Land Town Square will come to life with energetic music, state-of-the-art lighting effects and street performers from across the nation during the City of Sugar Land’s second New Year’s Eve on the Square celebration on Friday, Dec. 31. Two special celebrations are planned -- a children’s celebration from 7-9 p.m. and an adults’ celebration from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Throughout the night, peo-
ple will be kept dancing with music provided by a DJ and live music from Houston’s hottest premier band, Fried Ice Cream. Specially booked for this occasion are giant roaming stilt birds, a fascinating candy sculptor from San Francisco, a street performing comedy magic show from Nashville, cirque-style acrobatics and other exciting entertainment from across the nation. Make sure to keep a look out for the
giant 9-foot vines that seem to come to life right before your very eyes. Also, visit the 107.5 “The Eagle” booth for exciting give-a-ways and activities for the whole family. To hail in the New Year, a state-of-the-art live 3D show will include a special midnight countdown with a giant 3D sugar cube that will appear to “drop” from the City Hall clock tower. Flowing waterfalls and giant eyeballs that appear to
break through solid columns are just some of the many images possible during this spectacular show set to begin shortly before midnight. The entire building will come to life using the latest in video imaging technology. The event will showcase two fireworks shows, one commemorating the children’s finale at 9 p.m. and another during the 3D midnight show. This event is free, and park-
Meanwhile, only the parents were shown to the room with the massive collection of toys. They were given several tickets depending on their number of children and their ages to shop for toys. Volunteers, known as the elves, worked hand-in-hand with the parents to pack and carry the toys in bags, walk with parents throughout the check-out process and help them to their cars before checking out their children. As the parents departed the toy room, a mother said, “this helps out a lot.” Another mother noted, “next year, I want to be one of the elves.” Amy Mitchell, President of The Exchange Club of Sugar Land, beamed with pride as she witnessed the hordes of volunteers from the local community working together to help these deserving children enjoy the holidays. She is thankful to the super human effort of Jennipher Cole, 2010 15th Annual Santa Exchange Leader, for her tireless volunteerism and her team. Above, Exchange Club volunteers pose for a group shot after a job well done. —Photo by Larry Pullen
10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Stafford, TX 77477 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor
www.fbindependent.com 281-980-6745
Fort Bend Independent, (USPS 025-572) is published every Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend Independent, LLC., 10701 Corporate Dr., #282, Stafford, Texas 77477. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stafford, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487. ing will be available at the Texas and Lonestar Garages. A free shuttle service from Mercer Stadium to Town Square will be available from 6:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.