What dedicated individuals such as the late Orlando J. “Larney” Bisbano started 87 years ago for neighborhood children at ChristmastimeC has resulted in the Cup Defenders Association being recognized for their unselfish contributions in helping children enjoy the Christmas holiday season in a very special way.

The Cup Defenders Children’s Christmas Party, which began in 1935, is almost 90 years in existence making it the oldest, continuous holiday party of its type in the East Bay area and among the oldest in the state of Rhode Island. As a former president of the Cup Defenders Assn., Bisbano helped start a tradition which has become more popular than ever these days.

Last Sunday afternoon, parents, grandparents, and other relatives brought their youngsters into the Cup Defender’s Antonio DuPont Memorial Hall for an afternoon of merriment, pizza, chips and juice box drinks, and of course, a much-anticipated visit with Santa, and his elves. This is always a heart-warming day for everyone concerned, and this year’s event was no different.

Historically, the Cup Defenders Kids’ Christmas Party is usually held the Sunday before Christmas and in each instance, has generated enough smiles and goodwill to last a lifetime.

“I remember some of my relatives used to live in the area of the Cup Defenders playing a role in these Christmas parties may years earlier,” recalled John “Kool “Kat” Amaral. “In fact, my aunt, Angie Mansi’s backyard on Catherine St., bordered the Cup Defenders property, and my family was very much a part of this tradition.”

Spring ahead to this year’s event. With Santa (Cup Defenders president Steve Cavalieri) arriving around 12 p.m. via the Bristol Fie Department’s Engine 4, driven by Jared Castigliego, kids gathered outside Antonio DuPont Hall to greet their Christmas hero. Inside the hall, “elves” Andrea Maisano, AnetteToms, and Jody Archambault, along with club vice president Phil Rodrigues and past treasurer and past secretary Dave Toms, were busy welcoming all the children.

“I really look forward to this event,” said Steve Cavalieri. “It’s all for the kids and I’m all for that. Everybody helps out with this party. We have a lot of great volunteers.”

Aside from the many toys and gifts that each child was given upon arrival, the much-anticipated drawing for brand new bicycles ended the afternoon’s festivities. Lucky winners certainly went home in a happy frame of mind.