It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Michael's On East Dec. 3.
By
Niki Kottmann
| 10:41 p.m. December 3, 2016
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The sound of childish giggles and happy squeals echoed off the walls of the ballroom at Michael’s On East Dec. 3. Families packed the typically grown-up-only space to decorate cookies, make holiday crafts, get pictures with Santa Claus (and some of his Disney character friends) and enjoy a variety of other Christmas-themed activities, from face painting to balloon animal making.
Proceeds from the event benefitted Make-A-Wish Central & Northern Florida, Sarasota Regions in order to grant wishes to sick children in the Sarasota area.
Co-Chairwoman Jackie Elmore, Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida Chapter Regional Director Rebecca Blitz and Co-Chairwoman Katrina Otchet
Janna Kim with her daughters, Allison Kim, 7, and Anna Kim, 9
Ava Hays, 5, makes a holiday craft with glitter and fake snow.
Lana Shilanski, 5, Kelly Shilanski, Micah Shilanski, Avianna Shilanski, 3, and Gabriel Shilanski, 8
Rough Riders Honor Guard members John Werner, Mike Baker, Andrew Barba and Chuck Shanberg
Jen Notario helps Ethan Freeman, 5, make a tool kit.
Kelly Engel, Michele Schlossberg and Bianca Lawrence
Ava Hays, 5, Jessica Hays and Addison Hays, 7
Cookies lay in a line before being picked up by their decorators at the end of the event.
Jacob Diaz, 2, Liz Diaz, Danny Diaz and Andrew Diaz, 3 months
Isla Cawley, 7, with Sally Trout, her grandmother
Dylan Sato, 4, and Brandon Sato, 3, watch in awe as a balloon figure is made for them.
Reese Lawrence, 5, with Eve Rollins, 5
Violet Fenton, 1, with her dad, Andrew Fenton
Lydia Vaccaro, 13, gets her nails painted by nail technician Stephanie Valdez of PAINT Nail Bar.
Elizabeth Blitz, Lennon Seguso and Nevaeh Crews with Terri Klauber and Faith Crews
Committee members (back) Kelly Engel, Julie Pakbaz, Katie Huyck, Co-Chair Katrina Otchet, Regional Director Rebecca Blitz, Co-Chair Jackie Elmore, Bianca Lawrence, Amanda Johnson, Lindsay Westrick, (front) Liz Diaz, Michele Schlossberg and Jessica Bringas
Members of the advanced choir "High Voltage" from Sarasota Academy of the Arts performed various Christmas songs.
Heather Merriman Saba, Olivia Saba and Wendy Merriman
Reese Lawrence, 5, Bianca Lawrence, Addison Lawrence, 13, Hadley Lawrence, 9, and Richard Lawrence
Abigail Moody, 3, enjoys the “snow” in the Michael’s On East courtyard.
Fin Anderson, 3, with his mom, Stacy Anderson
Mario Bringas, Jessica Bringas and Anabela Bringas, 18 months
Tianna Rivera, 9, gets her face painted by Tiffany David.
Fiona (from Shrek), Sam Rich, 6, Pocahontas, Alaisha Rich, 4, and Snow White
Rowena Babb paints Emilia Huyck’s face.
Alexandria Rains, 5, gets her photo taken with Santa Claus and one of his elves.
