Community Corner

SantaCon Returns for a Spirited Round Two

One of SantaCon's local initiators, Jeannette Ho, is no longer with us, but this Saturday's festive bar crawl will honor her while raising money for kids and cancer research.

SantaCon must go on, say the organizers of this year’s second annual event which is sorely missing its most spirited member, Jeannette Ho.

Ho was one of the initiators of the effort to bring the international SantaCon movement to the villages of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown last year.

If you’re not familiar with SantaCon, perhaps you saw a merry band wandering from bar to bar in Santa hats last December. Not only were they having a great time carousing and caroling, but they were raising money and collecting toys for charity.

Find out what's happening in Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollowwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ho passed away in September, but her friends and family are eager to continue on her most generous and energetic path.

Jeannette's sister Nancy Ho, one of the organizers this year along with Jeannette's good friend Terri Fehn-Rohan, said she expects a great turn-out this weekend to honor her sister, raise money for charity, and just have a blast:

Find out what's happening in Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollowwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

With dozens more SantaCon participants expected this weekend, we are taking suggested donation of $20 that will go toward the event funding with special food and drinks at the participating restaurant/bars, as well as toward Blythedale Children's Hospital (same as last year) and to a local breast cancer medical research group. Wrapped new toy donations are welcomed, too. Jay's friends and family will be gathering at Patriot's Park in between locations to honor her friendship, spirit and shared enthusiasm for life.

All are welcome to join in in the fun this Saturday, but Santa attire is a must!

Here’s the info and itinerary:

Saturday, 12/15/12

Santas Route Times: 

  • 6-8pm: Set Back Inn
  • 8:10-10:10pm: The Tapp
  • 10:20-10:50pm: Patriot's Park *special gathering in memory of Jay
  • 11pm - close:  J.P. Doyles

An 8-piece band will follow the Santas and crew to help celebrate while keeping everyone in sync with holiday songs.

A suggested donation of $20 per participant will benefit Blythedale Children's Hospital and New York Medical Center for cancer research. Food and drink specials will be offered at the bars/restaurants. 

Toy donations will go to Blythedale Children's Hospital. Please note that Blythedale has the following donation guidelines:

•New, unwrapped items only

•No stuffed animals or toys containing latex

•No violent toys (guns, knives, etc.)

•Video games should be rated "E”

•Movies should be rated "G”, "PG” or "PG-13”

•Only music without parental advisories

They strongly encourage toys and items for children under 3 years of age, as well as items for teenagers.

For those who cannot make it but wish to donate can visit: http://www.nymc.edu/. Click onto the link for Alumni/Development on the left side of the screen and follow the directions.

To send directly to the center, please mail or drop off a check* to:

New York Medical College 

Attention: Development Office

40 Sunshine Cottage Road 

Valhalla, NY 10595

*Please write “In Remembrance of Jeannette Ho” on your check because they publish donations and will send personal thank you notes.

Visit SantaCon on Facebook at: facebook.com/SantaConTarrytown.

Like us on Facebook  |  Follow us on Twitter  |  Sign up for our newsletter


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here