Christmas party and toy giveaway on Dec. 21 at the Mega Church, 3170 Scranton Road
by Jessie Schoonover
‘A Joyful Celebration’ will hold its 3rd annual Christmas party and toy giveaway on Dec. 21 at the Mega Church, 3170 Scranton Road.
“We really just wanted to give back to those in the Metro Clark and Tremont areas, and any additional families in-need,” said Angela Miller, the event’s organizer and member of Mega Church for more than 20 years. “We are really here for the families; not just the children of those families, but parents as well.”
According to Miller, attendance for the Christmas gathering at Mega Church has doubled since its beginnings three years ago.
“The first year we experienced a severe winter storm,” she said. “But we had around 100 to 150 families that still made it. The next year we received more than 200 visitors. We expect that number to grow again this year.”
As promised, there is a toy giveaway for children and gifts for parents as well.
“Everyone who attends gets something,” said Miller. “We really want it to be a family experience.”
Recently event organizers decided to incorporate further involvement for attending parents.
This year there will be police officials present to edify some safety precautions for active kids in the neighborhood. There will also be cookies and story time with Mrs. Claus, and demonstrations for perfecting habits of good dental hygiene.
“Whether families are blood-related or not, we welcome everyone to come together and appreciate one another,” said Miller. “Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a beautiful time; I love the smiles on the children’s faces. It is a joyous occasion for many reasons, giving and coming together. Even on the 21st of Dec. I hope that everyone receives the feeling of Christmas, feeling blessed, loved and encouraged.”
On Jan. 20, Miller and Mega Church will hold instructional learning classes for parents and teens aged 13 through 19, including sewing, arts and creative writing sessions. Community leaders and entrepreneurs will also be present to discuss personal tips of success and motivation for becoming a community leader.