[StBernard] St. Bernard Christmas Tour of Homes is Dec. 12 in Violet: Club Salute

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Christmas Tour of Homes is Dec. 12 in Violet: Club Salute
Print Earl Hodges By Earl Hodges 
on November 07, 2013 at 6:48 AM, updated November 07, 2013 at 6:57 AM

The St. Bernard Volunteers for Family and Community organization is gearing
up for its annual St. Bernard Christmas Tour of Homes featuring a "Winter
Wonderland" at the Docville Farm on Dec. 12.

"This year will be different from previous years," said Nora Egan, who is
co-chair with Claudette Ponstein. "We are excited about what we are doing,
and it's going to be really different from anything we've ever done."

Instead of touring homes in the parish all of the activities for the tour
will be highlighted at the Docville Farm, a historic site in St. Bernard
Parish, located at 5124 E. St. Bernard Hwy. in Violet.

The hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m and 6 to 9 p.m. Activities will include
touring the house at Docville which will be elaborately decorated. In the
large barn, school children will sing Christmas songs and in the small barn
there will be a craft boutique. There will also be a Santa workshop and
musicians from Chalmette High School who will stroll around the farm playing
Christmas songs. Chalmette High students will also serve as tour guides.

"You can come and spend all day at Docville and listen to Christmas music
and do your shopping as well," Egan said. "It's going to be a great day for
St. Bernard Parish."

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the gate. For information or tickets
call 504.460.4382 or 504.913.5255.

The St. Bernard Volunteers for Family and Community consist of four clubs,
previously know as homemaker clubs: Stitch In Time, Chit Chat, Versailles
and Packenham. Egan serves as president of the Stitch In Time Club.

The purpose of the St. Bernard Volunteers for Family and Community is to
strengthen families, individuals and the community through education,
leadership and action, Egan said.

The members of the four clubs focus on volunteer activities throughout the
year including hosting bingo games at nursing homes and assisting local
schools with various events. Club members also assist needy families during
the holiday season.

"Volunteering and helping the community is one of the primary things that we
do," Egan said.

Proceeds from Christmas Tour of Homes will be given to local charities. Last
year the St. Bernard Volunteers For Family and Community Christmas Tour of
Homes gave $21,800 to charities including three $1,000 college scholarships.

Earl Hodges writes about clubs in St. Bernard Parish. He can be contacted at
earlhodges at msn.com or 504.887.4731.