Generous donations allow kids to unwrap the joys of Christmas

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Jonathan Walker can’t contain his surprise as he receives a gift at the Kids of the Community Christmas party Thursday. Before leaving, the children wrote thank you notes to those who donated money. (Will Stewart photo)

Christmas came early for over 80 local children who took part in Christmas 2003, the Kids of the Community holiday party held at Bridgestone Learning Center Thursday night.

The first big Christmas party ever held by the community program, Kids of the Community director Jason Crawford said it was, without a doubt, the best Christmas many of the children will see.

“December 25 is nothing special for some of these kids, but thanks to the efforts of businesses and individuals in this community they got the biggest and best Christmas they ever had,” Crawford said. “And they loved it.”

With approximately $11,000 in community donations, the organization sponsored 81 children, ranging in age from several weeks to 17. Each were provided an array of gifts, from clothes and shoes to toys.

The children were also treated to a full Christmas dinner courtesy of Uncle John’s Kitchen and were able to listen to Kids of Community volunteer Christie Allison as she read them several Christmas-related stories and poems.