The Gift of Giving: A Recap of the 2023 Christmas Fun Event and Project Angel Tree

World Changers Church International believes community outreach can take multiple forms, and this outlook can especially be seen in action during the Christmas season. Every year, WCCI hosts Project Angel Tree and Christmas Fun Event, two beloved occurrences that offer the joy, merriment, and cheer that’s sought after during the fall and winter. At these events, both held on the same Saturday last month, families received not only assistance for the holiday season, but Christmas activities for kids too!

December can be stressful for parents, and numerous articles offer tips and solidarity to those struggling to handle anxiety, busy schedules, and the expectations of loved ones. Some families struggle to maintain a positive attitude for their children, while others have no idea how to provide a traditional Christmas. In 2023, WCCI continued our mission to help as many families as possible.

Project Angel Tree allows good Samaritans to either donate funds for or buy Christmas gifts for kids, specifically underprivileged children. WCCI provides a list of “adoptees” for the congregation to support. Each child submits a short wish list, so we’re able to provide gifts they truly want. A tree adorned with QR-coded ornaments was placed in the church lobby from which members were able to choose a child to bless for the holidays. In 2023, not only did church members participate, but different departments on the Creflo Dollar Ministries staff also came together to provide gifts.

WCCI volunteers wrapped and labeled each present with the parent’s and child’s names. Requests ranged in focus: bicycles, iPads, dolls, drawing kits, books, teddy bears, drones, headphones, and clothes. Recipients picked up their gifts at a pre-arranged time in a well-managed process. Over 90 children (including students from North Fayette Elementary) received toys as a result of this outreach event. Both volunteers and recipients displayed their joy with grins and hugs throughout the afternoon.

            However, before Project Angel Tree began, fun was on the holiday menu!

Our Christmas Fun Event is an annual festival that remains a favorite gathering for all participants due to the many holiday activities. In 2023, there was more than enough to enjoy! Registration was free and included games, contests, and surprises. Kids were also offered free treat bags. The decorations promised a good time, with balloons on the ceiling, classic cartoon character inflatables all around, and a giant gingerbread house near the entrance. The environment remained family-friendly and Christ-centered, so parents, grandparents, and guardians were able to truly enjoy themselves alongside their children. One man remarked that “The Christmas Fun Event is about everyone coming together.”

The Christmas Fun Event offers numerous opportunities for joy. When interviewed, a family of three was particularly pleased about the different elements of the event. “It’s gonna be my sixth birthday,” said the child. His father appreciated the interactive nature and the opportunity to watch his son’s personality shine. One way the young boy was able to express himself was through the dance competition, which provided a space for energy and warmth for both participants and viewers. This was the family’s second time attending the Christmas Fun Event, and it is not surprising they came back!

If you did not attend, you missed some truly amazing Christmas activities! One particularly popular activity was building a Christmas bear. Children enjoyed choosing an animal and stuffing it until it was a fully-formed teddy bear they could then dress up. They were either laser-focused or dancing as they created their new toy by hand.

Another popular activity was the gingerbread house contest. Adults and children alike got icing on their fingers as they created a tasty “home” with a gingerbread house kit. Children also built their own paper gingerbread people in the arts and crafts section! A particularly heartwarming sight was seeing a father and his infant son having their portrait drawn.

Another attendee appreciated being in an atmosphere with “multiple people, multiple cultures” and enjoyed the overall “family vibe.” Indeed, Christmas Fun Event felt like a family gathering that the young attendees are not likely to forget. In addition to the activities and games, adults and kids alike enjoy Christmas karaoke, face painting, and balloon sculpting, as well as a train ride, balloon tunnel, and hot coca bar.

Over 400 people attended the Christmas Fun Event, and more than 200 families were ministered to. Families from nearby Bethune Elementary as well as mothers and children from a shelter were invited to attend. We were also pleased to provide a free lunch to the mothers and children from the shelter after the event.

World Changers Church International is continually grateful for the opportunity to show up for the community in a variety of ways. The Christmas season is an important time to look outward and forward. When we consider other people, we invest in the future. Christmas Fun Event 2023 and Project Angel Tree 2023 were true successes because of this! Those who were in attendance received one of the best gifts: witnessing genuine joy on a child’s face.

 

If you are interested in making a change, consider donating by clicking here.