Christmas 4 Kids brightens the holiday season every year for Middle Tennessee kids and adults looking forward to volunteering for the non-profit organization.
For two nights in December, hundreds flock to Hendersonville’s Walmart — first to tour the buses of country music’s biggest names on Monday night, and then to see the faces of hundreds of children light up as they peruse the toy aisles.
Hoewever, with COVID-19 precautions wreaking havoc on nearly every large-scale event in the country since March, the organization’s board of directors didn’t originally think an event that pairs a volunteer with a child in need for a night of shopping would be possible because fundraisers throughout the year that didn’t happen.
That's when local charities Live Love Nashville and HolidayFest, the Hendersonville Parks Department and country music artist Phil Vassar teamed up to save the event with fundraising opprtunities.
"Our community has rallied behind us to provide Christmas for 400 elementary school kids," the organization's website states. "We are partnering with Live, Love Nashville to make this year one of the best ever. We will be shopping for 400 kids from wish lists they’ve submitted."
"Due to current social distancing restrictions, this year’s shopping event will be different."
Shoppers will be assigned a child and his or her list to shop at Walmart on December 7 or 8 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Each child will still receive a $150 shopping spree from a personal assigned shopper instead of shopping in person with a child as in year's past. Special registers will be set up and volunteers will be there to bag and label purchases. After gifts are bagged and labeled, shoppers will deliver gifts to warehouse in Hendersonville. Childrens gifts will be seperated into schools and delivered to children December 15.
A non-profit organization that promotes and markets local charity events, HolidayFest stepped up by hosting “When Pigs Fly,” a barbecue dinner and bourbon tasting event featuring Rockland Road and surprise musical guests. Catered by Martin’s BBQ, the event will take place on Nov. 7 behind Ultimate Party Super Store at 246 West Main Street.
Country music artist Phil Vassar will also lend his talents by hosting Phil Vassar & Friends for an at-home virtual concert starting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23.
For more information about donating to or volunteering for Christmas 4 Kids as well as upcoming fundraising events, go to www.christmas4kids.org.
Shopping Schedule
Walmart
204 Anderson Ln N Hendersonville
Monday, December 7th
10:00am to 8:00pm
Tuesday, December 8th
10:00am to 8:00pm
