Published by CounciLINK on December 20, 2018
No doubt, many of us enjoy the Holiday Season and the joy it brings in terms of fellowship with family and friends through many ways of celebrating. But it’s the people who selflessly give back to the less fortunate who really put the heart in the holidays.
The Council’s Ron Pukacz is one of those special people.
Pukacz is a member of Baltimore’s Curtis Bay Athletic Association and, since 1960, the group has visited children and their families at various locations in the area to bring them a little holiday cheer. And guess who plays Santa Claus? You guessed it. Pukacz himself.
“It’s part of a remarkable time with these children because they tell you stories that you won’t believe unless you’re there by yourself,” said Pukacz, who has played St. Nick since 1977. “I mean, I hear stories (such as) ‘Get my father out of jail,’ ‘We can’t afford a tree so I’m going to draw a picture and tape it to the wall,’ ‘Santa Claus, do you have clothes for Christmas?’ So I get a lot of stories being Santa.”
Each year, the club – which has roughly 120 members – will hit several locations to see roughly 300 children at each stop. Every child gets a gift, a stocking, ice cream sodas, cake and other goodies. Every child also gets gloves and mittens.
Pukacz said the club also seeks out between six and nine families that are in dire need and donates food and a decorated Christmas tree – delivered, of course, on Christmas Eve.
“The most remarkable thing is that it’s sponsored by an athletic club in Baltimore that’s been in existence since 1938. And for the past 30 years, they’ve done everything they could to help the community, to give back,” said Pukacz, who has gone through five Santa uniforms and nine beards. “This is one of the last real athletic clubs where they play baseball, softball, football, basketball. So it’s a remarkable group of people who are involved with it.”
So how long will he keep playing Mr. Claus?
“I’ve got to do it forever because the story goes that whoever quits passes away the following year,” he said with a little bit of a North Pole chuckle. “That was part of the Santa clause in this contract.”
Pukacz brought his own special brand of joy and good tidings Wednesday to children at the Barbara Chambers Children’s Center in Washington, DC. Pukacz and the Council’s Vilma Williams, who brought her guitar, staged a singalong of Christmas songs for the children. No word on the whereabouts of Rudolph!
It takes a village to raise a child, the old proverb tells us. But we need to expand our perspective, according to pediatric surgeon, social scientist and mom Dana Suskind. In her heartfelt work, Parent...
Dr. Calvin Moore shared that when he first arrived at the Council and took on the CEO role, he was focused on assessing the early childhood education (ECE) landscape, the reach of the organization and...
We have probably all seen the commercials this time of year when you can hear the popular holiday song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, playing in the background as parents dance joyously...
Did you know early childhood educators in Maryland have a special benefit that can help them and the children they serve? The Maryland State Department of Education has awarded a $1 million grant to the...
For the first time in three years, the Education Writers Association (EWA) gathered in person for their National Seminar in Orlando last month. The event drew journalists from across the country to hear from leaders...
In April 2022, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued new guidance and an Information Memoranda (IM) announcing the long-awaited, family-friendly policy of permitting families and guardians to use proof of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program...
Dasani wakes up before dawn each day at a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, New York. After slipping out from under the covers, she goes to the window. On a clear day, she can see all...
The CDA Advisory Committee was created to provide insights, perspectives, and best practices to the CDA community and other early childhood professionals. Established during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the members’ first-hand experiences...
Where can you connect with CDA® holders and the wide range of folks who serve them? Turn to the Council Alumni Network (CAN), an online community that brings together current and past CDA earners, CDA...
Chief Operations Officer
Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Chief Financial Officer
Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
Read our monthly e-newsletter and keep up to date on all Council programs and services, as well as the latest news in the world of early care and education. Subscribe today to stay connected with us. You’ll receive timely information on events, webinars, special promotions, and more.
