Lisa D’Cato
Poinciana Writer

Santa’s Helping Hands is not just a cute holiday catch phrase. For Poinciana residents, it is the name of one of the community’s longest-running and endearing holiday traditions.
Santa’s Helping Hands was started in 1995 by long-time resident Linda Cantreva and the late Carleen Halen. The pair was involved in many community activities and sports programs and was made aware of the tough times financially that many families were facing. The reality was that these children would not have a present to open Christmas morning.
Enter Cantreva and Halen. The duo contacted the now defunct Poinciana Volunteer Fire Department and VFW Post 8120 of Poinciana, the Poinciana Ladies Club, Avatar, the Association of Poinciana Villages, Poinciana Hardware and other local businesses.
The toys they had collected were to go to Poinciana children, but Cantreva recalls,“When we realized we had way more kids than we thought, we had to resort to standing nightly at Winn-Dixie collecting spare change.”
Cantreva and Halen were determined to meet this challenge. Winn-Dixie showed its support and donated turkeys, hams and trimmings for the cause.
“Our program was supported by the community of Poinciana for the children of Poinciana,” Cantreva said.
With the support of the volunteer fire department and Poinciana Patrol, they delivered the gifts on Christmas Eve. This continued until 2001, with Halen’s untimely death the following year. The torch, however, has been passed.
Look for donation areas at Pioneer Remix, Prominent Title in the Publix shopping plaza, Regions Bank, Quiznos and Walgreens. Any donations that you are able to give in these difficult financial times are welcome and appreciated. If you would like to be a part of Santa’s Helping Hands and be a difference in the life of a Poinciana child, e-mail Bob Tremble, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 407-729-3177.
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Another established tradition for the youth of Poinciana is the Poinciana Area Council’s scholarship awards. Every year, the council awards two $1,000 scholarships to deserving Poinciana graduating high school seniors. The seniors may attend any high school as long as they reside in ZIP codes 34758 or 34759. Students are asked to submit a 500-word essay and have a GPA of no less than 2.5. For details, contact school guidance counselors or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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Are you ready for the best and biggest yet Poinciana Christmas Parade? The parade will be Saturday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m. The new route was so successful last year, it will stay the same. It will begin at Doverplum and loop around Cypress Parkway. Plan your day accordingly, but plan on seeing the 17th annual Poinciana Christmas Parade.
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If you have any Poinciana news or information that you would like to share, call Lisa D’Cato at 407-846-7122, e-mail news@
osceolanewsgazette.com or fax 407-931-3390.