| |
Christmas
4 Kids (a division of Christmas For Kids, Inc.) is a
501(c)-3 Non-Profit Organization that was created in 1982,
originally called Christmas Caravan. In 1992, we
incorporated and changed our name to Christmas For Kids,
Inc. For over twenty years, Christmas 4 Kids has given the
joy of Christmas to thousands of Middle Tennessee children
that might not otherwise experience it. Each December, local
businesses, volunteers, celebrities, recording artists, and
their bus drivers set aside two days from their busy
schedules for these special children.
The season for giving kicks
off every November with the Charlie Daniels and Friends
Concert to benefit Christmas 4 Kids. The concert is the
cornerstone of Christmas 4 Kids’ fundraising efforts. In
addition to the concert, Bob Parks Realty-Sumner County
Office holds a live auction in December that has now become
our second largest fundraiser. Also, everyone loves the Tour
Bus Show, which features over 50 tour buses from some of
today’s top artists, whose drivers graciously open their
doors. For a small donation, fans can see what the artists’
home-away-from-home is really like. The best part is you
never know who you’re going to meet. We will have 20-30
recording artists there to meet fans and sign autographs.
Past artists have included Gretchen Wilson, Chris Young,
Taylor Swift, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Trace Adkins, Trisha
Yearwood, Darryl Worley, Jeff Bates, and Larry-The Cable
Guy.
The entire year’s
efforts come together when the buses pick up 400 children
and bring them to a Christmas Party held in their honor.
Santa and Mrs. Claus host the party, which provides lunch
(donated by Garth Brooks), live music, dancing and a lot of
fun!!
After the party,
the children get back on the buses for a parade, led by the
Nashville Trolley carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus, that
stretches nearly five miles and features more than 70 Tour
Buses, ending at the Super Walmart in Hendersonville. Each
child is met by his or her own chaperone, and they’re given
$150.00 to buy anything they want. Plus, Christmas 4 Kids
gives every child a brand new winter coat.
Charlie Daniels sums it up
by saying, “You think about making a kid smile when there is
very little to smile about in their life. That’s what
Christmas 4 Kids is all about.” |
 |
