By Rachel Peel; rlpeel@txwes.edu

A bilingual Santa Claus passes out presents to more than 100 children who call Polytechnic Heights their home.  The sights and sounds of Christmas echo off the walls of the Polytechnic Community Center because one organization collects donations to make sure Christmas is provided.

At 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 8 at the Polytechnic Community Center, Omega Chi, a Christian fraternity at Texas Wesleyan, will host a Christmas party for the children—providing games, snacks, music and entertainment.

Established in 1955, Omega Chi was formed as an organization for religion majors, pre-ministerial students and people interested in a Christian service.

Jesse Sowell, professor of religion and philosophy and Omega Chi faculty adviser, has been working with Omega Chi since he came to Wesleyan in 1975.

“It’s a real blessing to see the smiles on the faces of those kids,” Sowell said.

Sowell said Omega Chi has been hosting the party since 1964, and its mission from the very beginning was to provide children in low-income families, who are being served by the Wesleyan Community Centers, with a Christmas program, including gifts.

Sowell said some of them do not get any gifts, so members of Omega Chi have  asked people to sponsor a child even if they do not want to actually shop for the child.

“We always have students who like to shop, and spend money that’s not theirs,” Sowell said.

Sowell said over the past ten years Omega Chi has averaged about 100 children per year, but this year they need sponsors for 112 children ranging from 5 months to 17 years old. Sponsors should not spend more than $50 per child on two gifts, one article of clothing and one toy from their wish lists.

Frances Martinez, director of the Polytechnic Community Center, said she looks forward to the  party every year.

“The best thing about the Omega Chi Christmas party is when Texas Wesleyan comes out and hangs out with my kids,” Martinez said. “They[the children] love it when they are sitting with them, or eating with them and playing with them.”

Martinez has been the director of the Polytechnic Community Center for the past 10 years. She said the kids really look forward to seeing the Wesleyan students every year.

“I hope that Omega Chi keeps falling in love with my kids, and keeps coming back,” Martinez said. “But not just for Christmas, I would love for them to come back and tutor, and to come back and spend some time with them.”

Martinez said she has a lot of single parents this year who have lost their jobs in the past year, so there is more of a need this year than before.

Justin Mikulencak, junior religion major and vice president of Omega Chi, is spearheading the event.

“A lot of these children who will be sponsored through Omega Chi and receive clothes and gifts and things will be the only Christmas celebration and gifts they will receive this year,” Mikulencak said. “We take our job seriously in that this is a huge and significant outreach opportunity for us.”

Mikulencak said he has been a part of Omega Chi since 2008 and this project is a great way to bring Wesleyan community into the Polytechnic community.

“Really it is just a time for kids to have fun,” Mikulencak said. “To run around and play games and have a Christmas Party.”

Mikulencak said currently there only 10-15 students in Omega Chi, so if anyone would like to help wrap presents or volunteer at the party,  please come to the event.

“Wesleyan is usually really responsive to this [Omega Chi Christmas party],” Mikulencak said. “It has been a tradition for so long and we hope that they will continue to sponsor a child this year.”

Mikulencak said they will have forms available for the staff, students and faculty to fill out if they want to specify the age and sex of the child they would like to sponsor.

“I just love the involvement,” Mikulencak said. “Really the best part about it is spending two or three weeks working really diligently, putting in hours of shopping of making sure our sponsor’s names is right, making sure the money is right.”

Mikulencak said those who wish to sponsor a child or multiple children and may not be able to shop can write a check, or give cash to either Sowell on the third floor of the Polytechnic United Methodist Church or reach Mikulencak at j_mikulencak@yahoo.com.

All gifts and money donations are due by Dec. 7.

“We spend all this time wrapping and by the end you’re tired of working, it’s a big project,” Mikulencak said. “But there’s nothing like being in that room when the kids receive the gifts, or when Santa walks in or whether they are just excited to be there, it’s that cathartic moment  that you just … it’s just such a  fulfilling and satisfying feeling.”