WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Pomerleau Party Thrills Local Kids
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Burlington, Vermont - December 7, 2008
The deepening recession has brought worry to many households this holiday season. But Vermonters have a tradition of helping each other -- and one man in particular has been lifting spirits this time of year for almost thirty years.
This is the 28th year of the Pomerleau holiday party, which fills a ballroom at the Hilton in downtown Burlington. This time, almost five hundred invited guests, mostly families with young children, are getting a treat.
Kristopher Kinne, a Pomerleau Holiday Party guest, told Channel 3, "I think it's cool and awesome, good food. There's a lot of things I like about this place." Kinne and his family have been coming to the party for years. Meanwhile, the man who was the inspiration walked in.
Tony Pomerleau saw the need for a holiday party for the community back in 1981. He came up with the money for the hotel ballroom and all of the food and festivities. The Burlington Parks and Recreation department came up with dozens of organizers and volunteers.
Wendy Carbone, a UVM senior and Burlington Parks and Recreation party organizer, said, "A lot of these families may not be able to have their own holiday dinner together it weren't for us. And it's really special for the kids to get to go pick out their own ornaments for the parents, and they each get a toy."
Pomerleau, a self-made millionaire, says he learned to give back to the community from his own experience. At age 91, he still remembers the great depression of the 1930s -- and what it was like to be poor. "I was fortunate in life, made money," he said, "so I just thought I'd pass it on to help the kids."
All these years later, the Pomerleau holiday party raises spirits in the midst of the current economic crisis.
Hope Grant, another guest, said, "I look forward to coming every year because of the kids. It gives something for the kids to do. It's really nice. I really -- just the way Mr. Pomerleau put it on and everything, it's great. It's wonderful. We really thank him."
The kids also get something to take home -- a photo with Santa. For Kristopher Kinne and his family, warm memories of the Pomerleau holiday party.
Andy Potter - WCAX News
