This week's blog is mainly about upcoming events. This time of year is crucial for us as a non-profit and as an organization for children. Therefore, it is important to know the kind of activities that help keep us running.
I hope eveyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving season. This is a time of year to be thankful, of course, and a time to visit with family and friends. It is also a time of year for great stress. I luck out because my parents always handle the bigger portion of the Thanksgiving meal at which we had 17 guests. I only have to make a side dish and dessert. It is also the time of year to start preparations for Christmas, and this preparation helps bring awareness to our organization. There are several events that happen to work for us in this marketing manner.
The first event is the Downtown Paris Association's North Pole Family Fun Day. My sister and her family of seven make it an annual event, and it is well worth it. It always happens on the Friday after Thanksgiving and brings in the start of Santa visiting hours. It happens at the court square, and this year there were cart rides, train rides, crafts,a petting zoo, and, of course, visits with Santa Claus. We had a booth with letters to Santa that the children filled out, colored and dropped in the R.E.A.L. Hope mail box to Santa.
The next major event is on December 17 from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. Santa's Last Blast also takes place on the court square. It is another time to meet with Santa and create all kinds of arts and crafts. Even though it is an evening for the children, all ages can enjoy the festivities. We will be having a snowflake ornament craft at our booth and encourage all youth to attend. This could be just the present they are looking for to give Grandma and Grandpa.
Our next big bash is Shiver on the River (formerly known as the Polar Plunge.) Last year was our debut of this event, and it was a huge success, mainly, because it was so much fun for all. Personally, I don't get it, but for many people jumping in the icy water is a rush, and I thank them for it. It is one of our signature events and one of our biggest fundraisers. It occurs every January 1 and is at noon this year at Paris Landing State Park. For a $25 entry fee, the "shiverers" get a coupon for breakfast the day of the event at the Inn and a tshirt. The goal is also to get as many sponsors as possible to support the contestants who jump into the river. Our own assistant director, Stacey Rotterman, will be making the plunge this year, and I will be supporting her fully.
All of these activities are important to us as an organization, especially a new organiztion. It shows the city and county's support of our program. It helps us connect with the children that we may eventually be serving and that we currently work with. It also helps get the word out to the rest of the community that we are here in the community to serve. Publicity of any sort is needed in the start up especially of an organiztion like ours. If it can be a fun event, then that is even better all around. We are so grateful for all the civic support that we receive and want to thank everyone on behalf of the children. We also encourage all to come and visit us at Central Community building between 3 P.M. and 6 P.M. on any school day.
Until next week: Keep it R.E.A.L!
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