How This Works
In early October, we work closely with social workers and local NWA school districts to connect 25 qualifying children and their families with our organization. These families qualify through their enrollment in the Families in Transition program which serves families within the state of Arkansas who are between stable housing situations. We choose the venue and our amazing volunteer staff is notified of their roles and responsibilities.
Each invited child is able to bring two parents or caring adults as well as their siblings. In our first year, we anticipated 100 individuals and we have seen this number grow each year. While our main focus is building a magical experience, we recognize the opportunity to send every participant home with a few items from their Christmas Eve celebration. To achieve this, our volunteer staff work with each individual child to learn of their wants and needs for the holiday season.
We work with local donors to provide each attending child an item on their 'want' list, a blanket, Bible, and warm set of pajamas. Photos from the event, a Christmas tree with ornaments, an array of breakfast food, and stockings full of goodies are also given to the families as they leave the event.
Our staff prepares the most magical and ethereal Christmas scene that may be compared to Silver Dollar City's look and feel. Many Christmas trees, tables decorated with beautiful tableware, a choir stage, and a huge roaring fireplace complete with mantle holds every stocking for each child. The cookie decorating station and Santa's chair are assembled.
The evening of the big event dinner is served to our special guests. Turkey, ham, dressing, and casseroles are all blessed with a prayer of hope and thanksgiving before everyone digs in. During dinner, a choir takes the stage to sing seasonal Christmas songs while everyone fills their hearts and bellies.
