FARMINGTON – A nativity scene, Christmas tree and pink piñata adorned Fellowship Hall at Henderson Memorial Baptist Church Sunday afternoon while many hands organized gifts, food and activities for a special Christmas party.

With the exception of two years over the past 35 years, the annual Christmas party for special-needs adults has created a special excitement, said Brent Smith, one of the organizers. Sunday’s gathering was number 33 for the guests, who rank the party high on their list of anticipated events. Some guests look forward to Thanksgiving, the special party and Christmas in that order, he said.

The party tradition was started by the church’s youth group while Brent and Bertha Smith served as youth advisors. A group involved in the Chesterville Training Center known as Work First were the first guests, then over the years, guests from seven local group homes were invited.

“The youth made and sold popcorn balls at the church fair to pay for the party and presents for the guests. They worked for it,” Smith said.

Once the Smiths finished their leadership they hoped the youth group would continue, but when there was no party that year, the Smith and Yeaton families and friends restarted the tradition, stopping last year after a death in the family.

Bottles and cans collected and redeemed along with donations now support the party. Smith, who retired from International Paper in Jay, still has former co-workers who save bottles for him, he said.

Members of the Franklin County 4-H Dairy Club, under the leadership of Smith’s niece, Darlene Nelson, and his sister, Gaynelle Yeaton, shopped and wrapped gifts for Sunday’s 39 guests.

“We take suggestions from parents and group home staff and try to find five or six gifts for each guest while keeping the amount spent on each fairly even,” Nelson said Sunday while the young members separated and bagged gifts in preparation for the party.

Members of another 4-H group, the Wrangler from East Dixfield, helped and then worked in the kitchen to prepare refreshments.

The Christmas story is a very important part of the party. Bertha makes sure the nativity is set up along with the tree each year, Smith said. During the party, lights are dimmed except for the nativity scene while Karen Russell reads the story.

Santa’s helper, Barney Google, clad in high-water plaid pants, large sunglasses and shoes, appears to relate a word from Santa and sing carols with the guests. Smith created the Google character while he was a teen and taking dance classes.

“The guests accept me as Brent and then as Google. They don’t realize or make the connection. They are unique people who do not have to have a lot to make them happy,” he said.

The youngest guest was 18 while others have reached their 60s, creating a blend of ages who get excited and happy, he said. The guest list normally counting up to 45 dwindled partly due to four deaths of friends this year.

Some parents, and some friends, return annually to help with the party. One, parent Eddie Castonquay made his way to a local store during the party to purchase another gift while Rick and Pauline Barr and Louise Blood arranged platters of goodies for the guests, he said.

“There’s a lot of hands, a lot of giving,” Smith said of those involved. “It’s very humbling because of the people.”