Community rallying to provide special holiday gift to seniors
Published 6:04 am Saturday, December 17, 2016
Different generations have the opportunity to come together to share in the holiday spirit next week.
The Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library will host the inaugural Homeschool/Senior Christmas event on Monday, Dec. 19, with the start time scheduled for 10 a.m.
After seeing a need to help provide holiday spirit in conjunction with the other activities going on, Carter County Community Advisory Board member Jilian Reece said the Christmas event was a no-brainer.
“Our community advisory board always has a passion for the people in our community,” Reece said. “We really wanted to do something for Christmas. When we looked at the calendar and saw all the different events already going on in Carter County, we felt like our senior population was one that could always use some extra love and encouragement this Christmas. We just wanted to come together and do something special to give back to the community.”
The event is being put on by the local homeschool group, the library and the CAB.
“It’s about taking care of the seniors in the community,” Reece said. “We want to encourage them to share some Christmas cheer. Our homeschool group is partnering with the library to invite seniors and homeschool kids to come together Monday to have a pancake breakfast.”
The event is open to the public and Reece encouraged citizens wanting to participate to call beforehand so that proper space will be made available.
“Anybody can come, but they need to let Ashlee (Williams) at the library know by Monday,” Reece said. “It’s open to any senior or any homeschool family that wants to participate.”
Staying busy with a handful of groups, Reece was on hand along with other mothers across the area for a special community cookie swap event held at the city Parks & Rec department.
As children and parents filed into the building, laughter and joy was shared by all … along with some sweet treats being devoured.
“We opened this event to any mommas that wanted to make cookies,” Reece said. “Families had the chance to stop by and swap cookies. We thought it would be a fun event and we’re glad with the turnout.”