No shortage of holiday spirit at Fortune Bay Resort Casino!

December 27, 2024

TOWER— The Woodlands Ballroom was recently turned into a winter wonderland Wednesday as over 200 kids and their parents/guardians joyfully participated in the Kids’ Christmas party at Fortune Bay Resort Casino.

 

Not only did kids get a chance to have their photo taken with Santa, but they also were able to take part in other games, like a Christmas tree ring toss, where they could win some neat prizes.

 

The party also featured a coloring station and other festive activities, like making Gingerbread houses. With the chilly weather moving in, the hot cocoa bar, handled by Fortune Bay staff, eagerly greeted those wanting to warm up.

 

“The response has been overwhelming!” said Fortune Bay’s Events & Promotions Manager Elise Grabowski before the doors opened. “The gifts that guests and employees donated will benefit many families on the Iron Range. This is a celebration of the Holiday season, and we are very fortunate to be able to host this event.”

 

Grabowski said Fortune Bay has collected over 400 toys, dolls, stuffed animals, games, and more.  She said she received help from the local Boys and Girls Club with the games and added that left over toys would be distributed to both Boys and Girls Clubs in Vermilion and Nett Lake. Not only that, but three area day care facilities would also be receiving a box of toys to distribute as they see fit.

 

 Once the kids visited with Santa, they headed over to the massive number of toys sorted by Fortune Bay staff.

 

“We are patient with the children to ensure that the toy they choose brings them joy,” said Grabowski, who most recently headed up Fortune Bay’s efforts to participate in the popular Christmas parade in downtown Virginia. “To be surrounded by toys is any child’s dream. We wanted to make it as memorable as possible.”

 

And memorable it was for many of the kids as they walked across the ballroom engaging themselves in the bevy of activities that Grabowski and her team planned.

 

One such kid who was amazed at the festivities was five-year-old Branson Villebrun, who told Santa what he wanted for Christmas: a remote-control monster truck. When asked if he was good this year, Branson flashed a demure smile, and then his dad, Ryne, concurred that he had been a good kid.

 

Santa even weighed in and asked Branson if he made his bed in the morning, but after some hesitation, Branson said he still has a “wiggly” or loose tooth, so he didn’t get around to making his bed. But that’s OK; Santa could tell he had been a good boy and should deliver on Branson’s request.

 

Meanwhile, 12-year-old LaNara Guenthner was also getting into the spirit of the season by making stops throughout The Woodlands Ballroom. She chose a plush Peanuts dog from the ageless Charlie Brown Christmas story for her gift.

 

As the kids zipped from one station to another, Grabowski enjoyed seeing all her staff’s hard work pay off. She wasn’t surprised by the outpouring of love shown to area kids by both Fortune Bay’s guests and numerous employees, who also made generous donations to the party.

 

“Generosity can be contagious when the intention is to serve,” said Grabowski. “It also lifts the spirits of those who walk by the huge, filled box. It is a reminder of the generous spirits of our neighbors.  When times are challenging, there is no other option but to come together, and people sense that need to create unity and community.”

 

Well said Elise—and Merry Christmas to everyone who stopped out to make this such an uplifting and heartwarming event!

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