For the past three years, Cinespace Studios has hosted a Holiday Party, with Santa Claus in attendance, games, gifts and good things to eat, for the children in the Lawndale neighborhood where the studio is located.
On Saturday, the children’s party tradition will be expanded to 500 children and their families, coming from the Lena Washington Food & Shelter Foundation for Women and Children, and the San Jose Obrero Mission for women and children, families and men.
“This is the biggest party we’ve had so far, because this is the first time we chose to work with the two shelters and we will continue to do going forward,” says Cinespace president Alex Pissios.
“We want to provide the children and their families a day to remember,” says Pissios, a father of four, whose enjoyment of the day comes from watching the kids have fun.
Ald. Erwin will put on a Santa Claus suit and white beard and his wife, Melissa will pose as Mrs. Santa as they take photos with the children.
The alderman’s volunteers and Cinespace staffers will organize games that include Pin-the-Nose on Rudolph, Candyland Limbo, making gingerbread houses and decorating ornaments and distribute the goodie bags filled with playthings.
“And all the kids get a Cinespace sweat shirt and beanie,” adds Pissios.
The Cinespace party was organized in conjunction with Ald. Jason Ervin (D-28th), whose ward office is located at Cinespace, reached out to families in his ward, and the Chicago Police Department’s 10th District that connected Cinespace with the shelters.
The alderman’s office is on the first floor of Cinespace’s Service Building at 2602 W. 16th St. and the party takes place in two sections on the second floor in the 5,000 sq. ft. space Cinespace calls “The Ballroom.” The party has two starting times, at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Pizza, milk and soft drinks will be served to all the guests.
The four television series filming at Cinespace, “Chicago PD,” “Chicago Fire,” “Sirens” and new entry “Empire,” are on hiatus until Jan. 5. Cinespace will close Dec. 24 and 25, and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
Pissios and the Cinespace staff sign off with “Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”
