Forty-five HAOC (Mechanicsburg) parish youth learned about the Life of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker and the importance of charitable giving at our annual Saint Nicholas Youth Celebration on Saturday, December 9. Father Timothy shared with the children the story of Saint Nicholas and his many charitable acts done in anonymity. He also led them in signing the hymn “O Who Loves Nicholas the Saintly.” The children crafted star ornaments, decorated canvas totes; baked special Saint Nicholas-shaped gingerbread cookies, played games, and decorated the parish Christmas Tree (as well as the parish priest!). Each child became directly acquainted with the lesson of Saint Nicholas and the important Christian concept of charitable giving and helping those in need by donating items for HAOC’s Nativity Charity Project, the Capital Area Pregnancy Center, and making Christmas cards to be sent to our home-bound parishioners. After enjoying a delicious pizza supper; they attended our weekly Great Vespers service and received goodie bags – filled with candies and clementines -- from Father Timothy. Many thanks to everyone who organized, decorated, hosted, chronicled, contributed, and taught our youth the important lessons of our Orthodox Christian Faith! May God bless them and grant them Many Years!