The significance of various symbols such as customary foods, Poinsettias, St. Nicholas, Christmas stories, and churches were  summarized by the presenter.  After the summary Giambi gave each of the residents their own Christmas items to keep including ceramic Santa’s, packets of cocoa, mitten shaped cookies, snowmen shaped candy, Nativity sets and rosette pastries.

At one point  Giambi displayed individual, decorated, Christmas bags.   He said that these represented the kindness and caring symbol of Christmas that had been demonstrated by a number of Starbuck businesses who had generously donated numerous items to the residents and for the program. He acknowledged and thanked the following businesses: Bremer Bank, First National Bank, Prairie Lakes Coop, Rainbow Rider, Starbbuck Telephone Company, State Farm Insurance, Stevens Community Medical Center / Starbuck Clinic, The Pastry Shoppe, Tom’s Food Pride, and T. Vincent Cafe’.

In the weeks leading up to the program, Giambi, had arranged for the Holly Ridge residents to participate in three different Christmas guessing contests.  As a finale, the contest winners were announced and awarded prizes.  Everyone received a consolation prize of Cracker Jacks and candy canes.

Stephan Giambi and the Kindness Counts Program held its December program on December 21. The program was entitled “The Symbols of Christmas, Part 2,” and featured a number of Christmas bags full of donated items from area businesses
Contributed photos