To help celebrate the holiday season, the Connecticut Sun sponsored the 28th annual Kids’ Christmas holiday party in the Norwich Free Academy cafeteria on Saturday, December 15.

Sun coach Mike Thibault, general manager Chris Sienko, “Blaze” the mascot and members of the Solar Power Dance team in addition to the Sun staff were on hand for the party, which was held from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Kids’ Christmas is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 by Liz Hall, who took on a second job to make sure no child was overlooked during the holidays. The organization supplies gifts to children in New London County ranging in age from infancy to 15-years-old.

The gifts, provided by the Connecticut Sun and Kids’ Christmas, as well as toys donated by the general public during the Sun’s “Christmas In July,” promotion during the game last season against Houston, were distributed to more than 450 children by Thibault and Sienko as well as Norwich Mayor Benjamin Lathrop.

“This is the fourth year we have been a sponsor of Kids’ Christmas, and it is always one of the highlights of our off-season,” Sun General Manager Chris Sienko said. “Giving back during the holiday season is an important part of our continued commitment to the community.”

In addition to the gift distribution, all of the children present had an opportunity to be photographed with Santa and Blaze. Face painting, balloonist, caricatures and crafts were also available for everyone that participated in the event. Food and drink were also donated by area businesses.

“I and my Kids' Christmas team are very excited that yet again the Connecticut Sun has been able to sponsor this year's Kids' Christmas,” Hall said. “It is a pleasure and a blessing to have the Connecticut Sun as partners this year. Our team, and more importantly, the children and the families of Norwich are forever grateful."

For more information about Kids’ Christmas, please contact Liz Hall at (860) 887-1101 and for more information about the Connecticut Sun, the Connecticut Sun Foundation and many of its community based programs, please call 860-862-4000.