Christ Church Reading Buddies celebrate Christmas

By Dana Kampa
| 5:00 a.m. December 18, 2025

Beverly Sutton introduces Santa Claus, who made an appearance at the Reading Buddies Christmas party on Dec. 11 at Christ Church of Longboat Key.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Members of the Reading Buddies program have plenty to anticipate throughout the year, but volunteer Beverly Sutton said there's nothing quite like the children's excitement that surrounds their annual Christmas party.

Christ Church of Longboat Key, which has sponsored reading remediation and enrichment programs for 18 years, hosted the party on Dec. 11.

All the children in the program received toys, books, dinner, slices of cake and the chance to chat with Santa Claus. Volunteers received plenty of smiles in return.

To learn more about the program with the 13th Avenue Dream Center and how to volunteer, visit ChristChurchOfLBK.org/Missions.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.