The Homeless Children’s Trust Annual Community Christmas party provided a festive holiday atmosphere for over 100 area children and their families. The Linn County edition of the celebration, hosted at Aegon, was held December 8th.
Children participated in crafts, played games, received presents, and were entertained by a screening of Shrek the Third. Guests included McGruff the Crime Dog, Mr. Shucks from the Cedar Rapids Kernels, Miss Teen Iowa, Miss Iowa, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus. Children sat on Santa’s lap for a snap-shot, letting him know their Christmas wish list. One mother exclaimed, “I want my children to grow up with the tradition of Christmas the way I did…this party helped bring that tradition to my kids this year.”
While the children enjoyed the festivities, including a lunch of hot dogs, chips, cookies, lemonade, and stockings stuffed with candy, parents were shopping for presents at area Target stores with $50 gift cards provided by the Homeless Children’s Trust. Volunteers at Target wrapped presents for the parents to take home to their children.
Homeless Children’s Trust Chair Mary Fielder, was pleased with the event, “It went great, the kids loved it…it was a day for them to let loose and play.”
The Homeless Children’s Trust, a HACAP partner program, is organized and run by volunteers; it provides temporary assistance to homeless children in order to minimize the risks of educational and social failure associated with homelessness. No salaries or indirect expenses are taken from the donations. 100% of the fund is used to assist homeless children by providing funds for emergency childcare, healthcare, protective clothing and educational supplies or for coordinating events. The Trust is entirely dependent upon community donations. Donations can be mailed to the Homeless Children’s Trust, P.O. Box 490, Hiawatha, IA 52233.