It’s been five years now and the Carmi Christmas Elves are gearing up for another trip through the Christmas Lights of Hope opening on Friday, November 29th throughout the White County Fairgrounds. It’s also the fifth year for the Kicks for Kids event happening today at the 404 Seed Station. The money raised during and through the Lights of Hope season funds new shoes for kids each year and the Carmi Christmas Elves are serving about 350 youngsters this year giving them an early present of brand new “kicks”. Kristin Prince, the organization’s treasurer says having a big local display attraction came first…finding a way to impact the region in a positive way was a swift side effect.
We wanted Christmas lights in town, but we wanted to find why people would want to drive through. We were thinking of an organization we could donate it to and then we came up with the idea to do our own thing by giving out shoes.
Friday’s event is a culmination of all the long, hard work the organization’s members put in putting up displays, running extension cords, reaching out to sponsors, collecting donations, and then taking it all down. Christmas Elves President Cynthia Atteberry says the looks on children’s faces when they come in to claim their new shoes is what it’s all about.
Today’s event is the reason all the Elves come out and work every weekend from the middle of October until Thanksgiving. Today, the kids come through and pick out a brand new pair of shoes, most of them are name brand, and they’re so excited to get their new shoes.
The organization will give out its 1,750th pair of shoes on Friday and the group is always welcoming volunteers to help whether you’re a formal member or not. The best way to reach out whether you’d like to donate either through old fashioned elbow grease or make a financial contribution is to reach out through the Christmas Lights of Hope – Carmi, IL facebook page and a member will get back with you on the best way you can help make an impact. Last year, the Christmas Lights of Hope raised nearly $24,000.
The lights display opens Thanksgiving weekend on Friday, November 29th with the 3rd annual Holiday Hoorah and operates every Friday – Sunday in December. Fridays and Saturdays are 6-9pm and Sundays are 6-8pm. The Holiday Hoorah runs from 5-7pm on the 29th of November and is a free event featuring Santa’s friends and reindeer to meet and take photos. There will be a food truck, craft tables, raffles, cotton candy, and hot chocolate as well. Additionally, a synthetic skating rink will once again be available.
