Santa's Visit to Pavinci for the Armed Forces Relief Committee

After the mad rush at shopping centers, it is so welcoming to have Holiday Sunday Brunch with family and friends away form the bustle of the shopper crowds. Pavinci provides ample parking so close to its entrance door. If you make an advance reservation, they do their best to accommodate guests with a window view of Lake Hopatcong. Lake Hopatcong is scenic wonderland even in the winter too. What is also delightful about Pavinci is its support to Hopatcong’s non-profit organizations in fundraising events. Three Sundays from 11am – 2 pm were dedicated for the exclusive “Pictures with Santa “- Dec 2, Dec 9 and Dec 16 to benefit the Armed Forces Relief Committee

Hopatcong Borough is a place where some caring citizens have taken their own leadership initiative to organize community outreach and relief donation projects to lighten the burden of their neighbors who are struggling. The Armed Forces Relief Committee is one of those groups whose concept was motivated by active volunteer residents. In 2010 Hopatcong resident Mitch Ellicott returned from active duty as 1^st Class Petty Officer of the Navy Reserves. Upon his return from the Middle East he threw in his hat as an Independent candidate for the Sussex County Sheriff race and he also promoted the idea for a committee in Hopatcong that would help our local returning wounded soldiers. Hence, the Armed Forces Relief Committee was formed. The Committee organizes drives to collect donations from the generous local population where it gets divided into four equal amounts. The redistributed funds to our wounded military personnel are given to: The Army Emergency Relief; Family and Friends for Freedom Fund; Air Force Association; and the Navy Safe Harbor.

These past 2 Sundays brunch attendees got to have a great Holiday gathering with family and friends along with having their picture taken with Santa ($5 donation). These photo sessions become dual gift giving - a keepsake Santa photo card and gift to wounded military men and women coming home from service. And that is a beautiful Holiday scene.