Christmas is a time of celebration, and one local organization is inviting the community to join them in celebrating the birth of Christ.

The TLC Community Center will host their fifth annual Community Christmas Dinner on Thursday, and Center Director Angie Odom is inviting all the families with children in the community come out for an evening of fellowship, fun, and food.

“We are opening this up to any families raising children,” Odom said. “That can be parents with their own children, grandparents or other relatives raising a child, or families with foster children.”

The dinner will be held on Thursday, Dec. 14, from 5-7 p.m. at the TLC Community Center, located at 145 Judge Don Lewis Blvd., in Elizabethton. The Center is located across from the National Guard Armory, next to the Workforce Development Complex in Stoney Creek.

The meal will include traditional dishes such as ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, rolls, and desserts, Odom said. The meal will be prepared by volunteers and supporters of the Center, she added.

The event will also include lots of fun and activities for the families and children to participate in.

And what Christmas event would be complete without a visit from Santa Claus?

The jolly old man from the North Pole will be on hand to hear Christmas wishes from all the good little boys and girls.

“Santa has some gifts to hand out to the children,” Odom said.

Families will be able to take photographs of their child or children during their visit with Santa.

For those families who have children with special needs, Odom said they can arrange to visit with Santa before the dinner starts if it would be easier for the children.

“Many special needs children can get overwhelmed by the crowds and loud noises at busy malls or stores,” Odom said. “Those children often miss out on getting to see Santa and have their picture made with him.”

Those families with special needs children who would like to visit Santa before the event starts should contact Odom for a time to stop by.

Over the past four years, the Center has served hundreds of meals for this special event. All of the meals must be eaten on site and no take-out meals will be provided, Odom said.

For more information on the dinner or on when Santa will be available for visits with for children with special needs, contact the TLC Community Center at 423-895-8601.