Wilkes Barre/Scranton Elks Lodge 109 donated the $2,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to pay for Victory Sports’ Christmas party on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Left to right: Fred DeSanto, Victory Sports president; Elks members: Mary Theroux, Exalted Ruler, Russell Andrews, Trustee chair, Richard Funn, Inner Guard, George Wiencek, Trustee, Karen Butler, Leading Knight, Dolly Hudak. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Wilkes Barre/Scranton Elks Lodge 109 donated the $2,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to pay for Victory Sports’ Christmas party on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Left to right: Fred DeSanto, Victory Sports president; Elks members: Mary Theroux, Exalted Ruler, Russell Andrews, Trustee chair, Richard Funn, Inner Guard, George Wiencek, Trustee, Karen Butler, Leading Knight, Dolly Hudak.

Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

<p>Ann Marie Lawrence, at the podium, accepts the 2024 Woman of the Year award from Fred DeSanto, founder of Victory Sports. To DeSanto’s left are former Ladies of the Year, Sandy Wazeter, Lynn Jones, and Gloria Vacula. </p> <p>Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch</p>

Ann Marie Lawrence, at the podium, accepts the 2024 Woman of the Year award from Fred DeSanto, founder of Victory Sports. To DeSanto’s left are former Ladies of the Year, Sandy Wazeter, Lynn Jones, and Gloria Vacula.

Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
<p>Sandra Colewell, center, of Auntie Anne’s, shows Steven Fiedorczik, left, and his son Zachary Kaplowitz, right, how to make a pretzel. Tiziana Mazzarella, back, blue shirt, also from Auntie Anne’s, helped as well. </p> <p>Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch</p>

Sandra Colewell, center, of Auntie Anne’s, shows Steven Fiedorczik, left, and his son Zachary Kaplowitz, right, how to make a pretzel. Tiziana Mazzarella, back, blue shirt, also from Auntie Anne’s, helped as well.

Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
<p>Victory Sports past Man of the Year Richie Kossuth, far right, sets off the ‘snow making’ machine during the reading of ‘The Knight Before Christmas.’ </p> <p>Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch</p>

Victory Sports past Man of the Year Richie Kossuth, far right, sets off the ‘snow making’ machine during the reading of ‘The Knight Before Christmas.’

Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
<p>Victory Sports athletes took to the dance floor during the annual Christmas party at St. Joseph Marello Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 10. </p> <p>Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch</p>

Victory Sports athletes took to the dance floor during the annual Christmas party at St. Joseph Marello Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
<p>Victory Sports athlete Darryl Herman displays his Christmas gift courtesy of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Elks Lodge 109 while spending a moment with Santa Claus.</p> <p>Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch</p>

Victory Sports athlete Darryl Herman displays his Christmas gift courtesy of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Elks Lodge 109 while spending a moment with Santa Claus.

Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
<p>Joseph Morin, left, takes a video of Santa Claus’ arrival at the Victory Sports Christmas party at St. Joseph Marello Hall, Pittston.</p> <p>Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch</p>

Joseph Morin, left, takes a video of Santa Claus’ arrival at the Victory Sports Christmas party at St. Joseph Marello Hall, Pittston.

Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

PITTSTON — Victory Sports held the annual Christmas party at St. Joseph Marello Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The athletes had pizza and wings, cupcakes and beverage courtesy of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Elks Lodge 109 through the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant of $2,000. Live music was provided and the athletes were visited by Santa Claus himself. Ann Marie Lawrence was selected as the 2024 Woman of the Year.

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