Christmas Eve-Eve Celebration aims to feed hungry, encourage fellowship

Food for those in need and toys for children are expected to be offered during the second Christmas Eve-Eve Celebration.

Organizers are looking for sponsors for this year’s event.

The celebration was organized last year as a way to encourage area residents to eat, have fun, spend time and listen to music together.

It also provided dinner to those who might not otherwise receive a holiday meal, and Warm Blessings  provided rides to the event from the soup kitchen.

This year, the event is on a Sunday, when organizations such as Warm Blessings and New Hope Food Bank don’t typically provide meals.

Organizer Lisa Weaver said that means some area residents can have a meal on a day when they might otherwise not receive one.

The celebration is scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 23 at Pritchard Community Center on South Mulberry Street in Elizabethtown. It is free and open to the public.

Transportation is expected to be available to local residents who need it.

To make transportation arrangements or become a sponsor for the event, call (270) 769-5707.

Free hair cuts, a silent auction and a $1 raffle are planned to be available.

The Truth Trio, Brothers in Christ and WJCR’s World Changers Band are scheduled to perform.

Weaver said she was inspired to organize the event because she was once homeless for three weeks while working full-time.

She also uses the chance to help those in need and bring community members together as a way to heal after two sons died in a fire in December 2005.

Weaver said she knew Christmas never would be the same for her, but God has saved her from much of the pain she felt seven years ago.

“I can finally enjoy seeing children being happy again,” she said. “I always knew the Lord would take my sorrow eventually and turn it into joy again.”

Weaver is glad to see area churches and businesses becoming involved in the effort

“God is good every day of the year, and especially Christmas,” she said. “I’ve seen so many miracles already.”

Amber Coultercan be reached at (270) 505-1746 or acoulter@thenewsenterprise.com.