It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… In Dodgertown! The Junior League of Indian River (JLIR) hosted its Annual Holiday Christmas Party for Communities Connected for Kids at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex formerly known as Historic Dodgertown. While not hosting a traditional Christmas party this year was necessary, JLIR modified the event so that families could drive through the Villas of Historic Dodgertown and celebrate safely while remaining in their cars. Communities Connected for Kids, Inc. provides oversight and coordination of the child-welfare system in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties.
This year 39 children from 13 different foster families participated in this drive-through holiday celebration. As the families drove through the decorated villas, they were gifted Jackie Robinson Training Complex swag bags that were filled with books of their grade level from the Kindergarten Readiness program, new school supplies, craft kits from Lowe’s, and build your own Santa cookie kits donated from Home Depot. Holiday music from DJ Joe Styles’ sound booth filled the air as the families drove to the next stop to see Santa himself as he and Mrs. Claus, delivered personalized gifts through the car windows to each child.
The gifts were requested by each child and were purchased and gift wrapped by JLIR Sustainers. As the families proceeded forward to the next booth, they received ready-to-eat family dinners with the ability to choose Lasagna or Chicken Tetrazzini prepared by Catering by Adrienne Drew. For dessert, the children received goodie boxes with holiday candies and treats.
When thinking about all the individuals and businesses that collaborated to make this event happen it really defines the name behind the organization “Communities Connected for Kids”. This event was made possible through the generous donations from Piper Aircraft, Inc., Action Rentals, Jackie Robinson Training Complex, DJ Joe Styles, members of Junior League of Indian River, and many others.