Mr. 1990-1991 (Jerrett DeFazio)

Part II - The Spirit of Christmas

After a late night on Friday night, I had a hard time looking beyond my exhaustion to find my Christmas spirit. But alas, I had already confirmed I would be at the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa's annual Christmas party for less fortunate children. It didn't take long for me to realize I had made the right decision, as Jerrett DeFazio and the club once again inspired me. 

Photo courtesy Patrick Ciavaglia

As kids arrived excitedly, a woman wearing a BGCO black and green volunteer t-shirt greeted them at the door with a warm, welcoming smile. The first thing that stood out was the happy chaos. Kids ranging in ages running around happily in the games room, which had two air hockey tables in one corner, a few foosball tables, a ping pong table, and a pool table that was being used to serve snacks to the kids. In the middle of the room were couches where some parents, volunteers and kids had gathered to chat. My favorite feature was the giant lettering near the air hockey tables that simply said "Belong Believe Achieve". Those three words combined with the electric atmosphere created by the kids and volunteers spoke volumes.

Adam Joiner, the manager of the McCann Clubhouse, took me on a quick tour amidst the chaos. To the right was the craft room. Children and volunteers sat together at tables, letting their creative Christmas imaginations take over as they completed one masterpiece after another. On the BGCO website, a video on the introduction page explains the many uses of the craft room, including homework club, drama, improv, photography, and many other fun, planned activities for the members of the club. 

To the left of the games room was a hallway that leads to a kitchen, where the BGCO offers cooking classes so our local youth can learn to create healthy meals for themselves. This hallway also leads to a room where the club holds its Youth Council meetings. The walls of this hallway display signs with the recipients of various scholarships offered by the BGCO. 

Kids playing Santa Says. Photo courtesy Patrick Ciavaglia

I was then taken to doors at the far left corner of the games room. On the other side of these doors is a gym. The noise was deafening as kids ran around playing games the Youth Council had organized for them. Each child received ballots for each game played that would later be used in draws. The games were fun, creative, and educational. As we walked into the gym, Adam couldn't help but smile as he looked around. He tried to yell encouraging words above the laughter of the kids, but I'm not sure how many heard him. They were busy having the time of their lives.

But what Christmas party would be complete without a visit from Santa? The BGCO made sure to book Santa ahead, and they also made sure Santa wouldn't be let down when he arrived. The dressing rooms and shower area had been completely transformed by the Youth Council, into a wonderland of Christmas magic. A walk through a mythical hallway lit up by Christmas lights and 'snow' with Christmas music playing softly in the background, lead to the workshop, where the elves make toys for all the children on the nice list. No carols were needed in this part of the walk, as the elves were singing Jingle Bells in unison as they hammered away at toys, getting ready for the big deadline. 

One elf paused his singing for a moment to explain the process to us. "There's a big mountain up in the North Pole. If you climb the mountain, after about half a day you get there, and there's all these things we use to make toys. Big things, little things, metal, plastic, wood. There's glue and there's nails. We put them together in Santa's workshop, and that's how toys are made!"

Kennie, Anahy and A.J. talk to elves. Photo courtesy Patrick Ciavaglia 

A few steps further, more elves. A different kind of elf this time. These elves weren't building toys, they were stuffing them! As four elves stuffed teddy bears and other cuddly friends, one person asked "I always wondered who stuffed the toys..." One of the elves piped up excitedly "I do! Colonel Stuffer here! I got promoted!"

Anahy and A.J. peering at Santa. Photo Courtesy Patrick Ciavaglia

Another turn of a corner and you were into an area filled with Christmas trees decorated top to bottom. But the attention didn't stay on the trees for long, because not too far away, down a hallway made of red wrapping paper, with piles and piles of gifts sitting on each side of the isle, sat the man of the hour, Santa Claus. Children in awe walked up to Santa one by one as they were called out by name. Because the BGCO is such a close knit family, Santa even knew particulars about each child, and so each one of them was given special attention and personalized messages from Santa Claus himself. I tried to get an exclusive interview with Santa, but just as quickly as he had appeared, once every child had received a gift and had their picture taken, he vanished mysteriously. 

Kennie receives her gift. Photo courtesy Patrick Ciavaglia

So much effort had been put into Santa's Village, I just had to know more. Adam took me over to Fahd, an 18 year old member of the Youth Council. Fahd started off by explaining what the Youth Council is exactly. "The Youth Council meets every Friday evening and takes care of the organizing of different parties and events. Once you get sucked in, you can't really leave. You just love it. For me, it started with just putting up a few decorations. Now, Adam and I worked together to organize this entire thing." 

Fahd explained that the Youth Council, mainly ranging in members aged 16 to 18, had actually spent Friday night at the McCann Clubhouse, setting up Santa's Village, and all of the other decorations. It took them until 4:00am, but a glance around at the young adults there wouldn't have given that away! They all looked awake, happy, and filled with Christmas cheer. When asked about how much time he spends at the Clubhouse, Fahd laughs and says "We'll say I've slept here, I've showered here. This is a second home to me. My dad would say I spend more time here than at home actually. There are days I work here, and other days I come volunteer. I come play basketball, foosball or monopoly with the kids."

Why would an 18 year old boy want to spend so much time at the Clubhouse? The answer is simple for Fahd, "We're truly inspiring some kids to do what they want to do. I had a kid tell me he wants to be Prime Minister. He's not six years old. He's not 10 years old. He's turning 17. For a 17 year old to tell you he wants to be Prime Minister..." Fahd stopped to take in the story he was sharing with me, and he looked off in the distance and smiled before continuing "He's still willing to dream, and that's something. We give them the ability to dream. Then we help them by giving them the skills and teaching them through simple things like organizing a Christmas party. Well that can turn into organizing a fundraiser, to something else after. It's basic tools for them." Fahd makes it very easy to see the BGCO is something very special to him. Something he takes pride in being a part of. 

He told me story after story of seeing the kids he has helped, grow into young adults that are now working by his side, and how much pride this brings him. I could have listened to Fahd's truly inspirational story for hours, but there was a party to get to!

Kennie, Anahy, A.J. and Caleb with gifts. Photo courtesy Patrick Ciavaglia

Kids were still filing out of Santa's Village, one by one, with big grins on their faces and gifts in hand. The smiles and excitement just grew bigger and bigger as the afternoon went along. Adam explained to me why so much effort goes into these events. "For some of them, this is it... This is Christmas. It should be perfect. The quality should be the best it can be. That's what we strive for. We don't do anything unless it's going to be perfect. And that lives and breathes through Jerrett. The dedication he has towards the club is heartfelt." After spending an afternoon with volunteers, staff, and members I can honestly say Adam's last statement goes for them all. 

Talking to Jerrett really makes one realize how much he loves giving back to the community. But to understand the true magic of it is something that can only be seen by living it through an event, a fundraiser, or even volunteering your own time. "The Boys and Girls Club is always looking for volunteers. The volunteers and staff are really the backbone of the organization. We are always looking for people to work with the children and youth so they can believe and achieve. Having that adult figure in their lives goes a long way. There's a lot on our website about getting involved. We strongly rely on the community to keep us going, and they've never let us down. We've been in Ottawa close to 90 years and that's the generosity of the people here. All of the programming is free." Jerrett explains. He then adds a line you will hear often around the BGCO "The only price you pay is your character when you come through the door."

Jerrett DeFazio is not only a 67's alumni, he is an important member of our community who gives his time and effort towards steering our youth in the right direction. Talking to any one of them will impress just about anyone. These kids are brilliant, happy, motivated, and have already accomplished a lot. After my afternoon spent at the BGCO, it's obvious if Santa's spirit lives in some of us, it's in people like Jerrett, and all of the volunteer and staff at the BGCO. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!