Every spring when the weather gets warmer and the first violets start to bloom, over 150 village children and those from children’s homes, come to Vilnius to celebrate “Week After Easter Holiday” organized by the Mrs. Adamkus Fund.

First the children have the chance to enjoy the scenery from the TV tower or Gediminas Castle, to visit museums, famous places of the capital and to have delicious meals at McDonald’s or Da Antonio Pizzeria Restaurant. Full of good impressions, they are met by well-known Lithuanian actors and singers, and fairy tale heroes who perform and play different games with children, and participate in the egg-roll competition. Together with the children, Mr. and Mrs. Adamkus and the staff of the Fund and supporters, participate in the games. Every child receives gifts from Easter Grandma.

The after-Easter celebrations of 1998-2002 were held in the courtyard of the Presidental Palace, and, in 2003, at the courtyard of Chodkevičius Palace.

Amusements and surprises await children coming to celebrate Christmas. They visit museums, well-known places, visit Christmas trees in City Hall and Cathedral Squares.

After strolling along the winding city streets, and after a good dinner, they are entertained by the ballet and theater actors and, of course, joyful red-cheeked and long gray-bearded Santa Claus with his games, tricks, and presents.

Christmas celebrations were held , 1998-2002, in the White Hall of the Presidential Palace.

One of the guests, school principal Genovaitė Gricienė, said “Our children here are very happy. We brought to Vilnius 12 children, those who were in the greatest need of help, and we chose them with utmost care. Not long ago, Mrs. Alma Adamkus was invited to this celebration at our school. After her visit, one of our 9th grade students said: ‘An elderly lady came, and in a half-an-hour made our school so happy’. That was how he expressed what we all felt that day”.

With the school year coming to an end,a nice holiday “Children’s Defense Day” (June 1) approached. There will never be too much attention paid to children, and that is why the Fund tries to brighten little children’s hearts that day, also. For two years, the Fund, together with its supporters, organized “Monopoly” games, and the winners participated in “Monopoly” championships in Lithuania.

It is a tradition, during those holiday celebrations, for children to visit museums, famous places in the capital, to have dinner and attend the theater.