Tis’ the season for giving back! Here are just a few family-friendly ways to enjoy the holiday season while supporting your local community.
Market Place Christmas
The two day event kicks off on Friday, December 6th,with the lighting of a giant tree atop Northside Forsyth Hospital at 6pm. WSB Fred Blankenship will emcee the community celebration which includes kids activities, live musical and dance performances and photos with Old St. Nick. The lights on the tree can be purchased to represent someone in your life that has been touched by cancer. All proceeds go directly to assist cancer patients and families with medical care, transportation and lodging. Lights will be available for purchase at the event or online at https://give.northside.com/lights. On Saturday, lace up your sneakers and continue the festivities with a 5K Jingle Jog, supporting the Forsyth County Community Connection. Post-race, enjoy the Cumming holiday parade along Market Place Boulevard.
Location: Cumming, GA.
Date: December 6 & 7, 2013
More Info: Visit website
I’ve found a truly magical way to show our military some holiday love this year.
Trees for Troops
This year head out with the family and support our troops by purchasing from a farm or tree lot that participates in Trees for Troops. Through cash donations, donated trees and the support of Fed Ex, Trees for Troops has provided more than 122,000 Christmas Trees to deserving military families and troops in the United States and overseas. Show your gratitude for the sacrifices of America’s service men and women and their families by sending a little Christmas cheer their way this year.
Location: Various locations
Date: December 6-8, 2013
More Info: Bottoms Tree Farms
Big John’s Tree Farms (13 locations)
And last but certainly not least, this event is one of my family’s favorite holiday events!
Christmas in the Park
Shadowbrook Baptist Church hosts a Christmas Village on the town green that truly reminds me of an old-fashioned holiday postcard. The event is free, but donations are accepted on behalf of a local food bank, Caring Hearts Ministry. This year’s goal is to collect 500 pairs of shoes and 400 coats (new/gently used in both kids and adult sizes) as well as enough canned goods to feed 1000 families for 1 week. Each of the 11 village buildings has an activity for the kids to do – from making ornaments to writing letters to Santa. In addition, there is a train ride around the park for the smaller kids, an obstacle course for older children and they even have caricature artists doing portraits! After you’ve made the trek around the village, sit back and relax with complimentary cocoa & cookies while listening to live Christmas music in the outdoor amphitheater. Bring your camera and snap a pic with one of the roaming Charles Dickens characters or pose in front of Suwanee’s brand new 32 foot Christmas tree made up of 53- lighted spheres.
Location: Suwanee, Ga
Date: December 13-14, 2013
Hours: 5:30p.m.- 8:30p.m.
More Info: Visit website
Those are just a few of the many ways you can give back this season. So bundle up, enjoy some quality family time and help out those in need this holiday season! If you miss these events and still want to give back, contact local charities, worship places or schools which are all in full swing collecting much needed clothing, toys and food for those in need.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Northside Hospital
CLICK HERE for our calendar of family-friendly events that won’t break the bank.
