Santa and his elves arrive December 21 at Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana

Christmas parties bring toys and Christmas spirit to Club members

Made possible by the generosity of Toys for Tots, Optimist Club of Louisville and Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana, 600 children will be receiving newly purchased and wrapped gifts from Santa at holiday parties beginning December 21. These gifts of clothing and toys will be distributed at Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana’s 3 clubs over 5 parties where food and drink will be served for all in attendance:

December 21: Ed Endres Club, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (12 and under) with special music provided by Jamey Aebersold and Friends

December 22: Shawnee Club, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (12 and under): Ed Endres Club, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (teens)

December 23: Shawnee Club, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (teens); Jeffersonville Club, 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (all ages)

Christmas parties not only allow Club members to experience Christmas – and Santa – but also allow community supporters to help spread the job of the holidays. Optimist Club of Louisville members and Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana volunteers will be on hand at the parties to help distribute bags of toys, games and clothing from Santa’s satchel. “Many of our kids really look forward to the Christmas party at their Club because it is the only Christmas they experience,” said Caroline Heine, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana. “Thanks to the kindness of others, our kids are able to take part in the timeless tradition of Santa.”

About the Annual Christmas Parties

In early December each year, volunteers gather to wrap toys and clothing for all children. The Christmas Party program began 26 years ago when Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana partnered with Optimist Club of Louisville to provide a Christmas party and presents for the children. All presents were donated, with many of them being highly used old toys. It became apparent that first year that gifts should be newly purchased and wrapped when a little girl tugged on the sleeve of Grace Sternberg, a volunteer, and asked, “Excuse me, do you have a present that is wrapped?” Grace’s heart was broken and since then the children have all received new toys that are wrapped.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana

Boys and Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana serves over 1,700 youth in three clubs including clubs in the Shawnee neighborhood in Louisville and in Jeffersonville and New Albany, Indiana. Our mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those most in need of our services, to realize and develop their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens in a global society. Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana is a Metro United Way agency.

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Kerri Arnold

Director of Development

Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana

1519 Story Ave.

P.O. Box 4989

Louisville, KY 40204

502-585-5437

karnold@bgckyana.org

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