December 30th, 2017 by WCBC Radio

    Windsor Castle was alive with Christmas excitement December 19^th, as 20 children from The Maryland Salem Children's Trust and nearly 100 people comprised of host families and staff from both Salem and WCBC Radio Station gathered to celebrate the 26^th Annual "Christmas for the Kids" Party.  Gratefulness rang out as each child received their Santa sack of gifts and thanked both the host families for their generosity and the staff for the impact they have made each and every day.
    Todd Mechem, Former Executive Director of Salem, said that, "Children at the Maryland Salem Children's Trust are from throughout the State of Maryland, but 65% of the kids helped by Salem are from Garrett, Allegany, Washington and Frederick Counties, and 68% of those children are from Oakland, Grantsville, Frostburg, LaVale, and Cumberland."  Spokesperson, Kristen Fischetti of Salem, said of the evening, "We become family to each of our children during their stay at our group home, and it takes a team to provide quality care for them.  It is always a joy to watch WCBC Radio and the community become involved in the lives of the children we care for, and it is often through the gifts of others that help us show the kids the extent of our love for them."

   The party was a night the kids will dream of for weeks to come. Everyone enjoyed all you can eat pizza, wings, lasagna, ice cream, and much more!  The Salem School choir preformed various Christmas carols with the help of volunteers, George and Millie Ott and Kelly Schrecengost, and then turned to lead everyone in several songs all together. One of the young women from Salem sang a solo that left the whole room applauding her, and the true spirit of Christmas was evident throughout the event.  The evening could not have been possible without many community partners, from WCBC Radio who hosted and planned the event, along with the host families, to the many businesses who contributed food, along with Santa and Frosty the Snowman. Many thanks from the Maryland Salem Children's Trust!