By Jean Chaffee
About 70 neighbors came to Martin Park in the Lowell school area for a Happy Birthday Jesus party following the NeighborsRus Food Box distribution on Saturday, Dec. 20. Oscar Rodriquez was ready with candy filled piñatas, cookies, and 2 birthday cakes. The kids gathered around Paula Darden for an interactive telling of a modern day Christmas story. One neighbor came with 10 pizzas. She had watched Oscar's family reach out to the neighborhood in a loving way and said she wanted to do her part.
A group of good sized men rode up on their high handlebar bicycles to join in a basketball game. Later they hovered over a gingerbread house decorating them with frosting and little balls. The day finished up with the drawing for 3 lucky kids to win a new bicycle.
Amid the festivities, helicopters circled overhead and police patrolled the street but no one took notice as we were all engaged in the Jesus party feeling very secure.
