Christmas Bash enjoys large numbers on Friday night

 

[December 21, 2021] 

Crossway Church and Fostering Grace teamed up on Friday evening to bring a stellar Christmas event to Lincoln. Hosted at the Lincoln American Legion, “Christmas Bash” was well attended with nearly shoulder-to-shoulder families participating in dozens of Christmas themed activities.

The free event, hosted by the two organizations was intended to bring joy to area children, and also raise awareness for the Fostering Grace program. Fostering Grace works with foster families to help make the transition of children into new families easier.

Jeanna Gill offered an explanation of the Fostering Grace project and how it helps those families.

“When a child comes into foster care they usually have nothing more than the clothes on their backs. We accept donations of every kind to help fill an immediate need for these children. Clothes, beds, toys, bikes, baby equipment (swings, bouncy seats, etc.) anything that can be used by children and teens.

“We go through the donations and organize them so they’re easier to find. Clothes are washed in scent free detergent (just in case of allergies), so they are ready to use immediately, and bagged and tagged to go in our “blessing bags.” These are back packs that include anything a family might need to get a child through the night and the first few days of placement in a new home.

“The contents of the blessing bag will depend upon the age of the child receiving it. For example, a baby bag would include items like baby soap & lotion, a blanket, a couple bottles, burp rags, bibs, diapers and more. A teen bag would include items like toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, deodorant, a lap blanket, and some school supplies.”

On Friday evening, the large meeting room at the Legion was filled with fun games from dart throwing and bowling games to mini-golf and many more.

Activities included fun things like decorating a Christmas cookie to take home or eat on the spot, create a Christmas craft or art project, and sit on the lap of Santa Claus.

In addition to Santa, there were a number of other fun characters including several pointy-eared elves, and from time to time the gingerbread man was spotted visiting with children and posing for photos.

Each stop along the way around the room contained a list of sponsors for the event, and there were many. And, there was of course, sweet treats. Cookies were donated by a number of local businesses including Arby’s, Casey’s and several others.

The event proved to be well organized and a lot of fun for everyone involved.

[Nila Smith]