Christmas for Kids event brings toys, joy to children

The Sentinel-Record/Tanner Newton NEW BIKE: Lylie Shirley proudly shows the bike that she won Saturday during the 33rd annual Christmas for Kids event at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
The Sentinel-Record/Tanner Newton NEW BIKE: Lylie Shirley proudly shows the bike that she won Saturday during the 33rd annual Christmas for Kids event at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

For over 30 years, Garland County youths have gotten an early Christmas present with the Christmas for Kids event. For some, it will be the only Christmas they receive this year.

That fact is not lost on Garland County Circuit Court Judge John Homer Wright, one of the people who has kept the event going over the years. Wright was in good spirits Saturday for the 33rd annual event, held at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Looking at a long line of children who were about to meet Santa, Wright said, "I imagine for some of these kids, this will be their Christmas. We're glad to be part of it."

Wright did note that attendance was down this year. He estimated that there were around 250 youths at the event this year. Past Christmas for Kids events have drawn up to 600 youngsters.

"We thought holding the event on a Saturday would really bring in a larger crowd. That didn't materialize," Wright said.

Finding the bright side, Wright noted that this year was the best kid-to-bike average that they have ever had at an event. By the end of the event, 50 lucky children left with new bicycles. Wright also said that he is pleased that there were enough toys at the event for each child that showed up.

Wright also said the base of support was larger for the event than ever before. Between donations and volunteers, Wright said that around 120 people helped to bring the event to fruition this year. That much support, Wright said, is what helps them continue to hold the event every year.

Another person who helped with the event this year was John Muldoon. For Muldoon, helping at Christmas for Kids is a family tradition. "My family has supported this event since it started in the early '70s," Muldoon said. He said his grandfather and both of his parents helped with the event over the decades, and now his children are also volunteering at it.

Like many people at the event, Muldoon credited the event's success with Wright. For example, District Judge-elect Joe Graham said that Wright "always does a good job."

Graham said he has participated in the event every year since 2005. He said he likes the event because it allows children to have a good Christmas who might not otherwise have one.

Also participating in the event of the last decade is magician Scott Davis. Davis said that he supports the event because it is a lot of fun. Davis also praised Wright for the event.

"I'm a big fan of Judge Wright and his hard work," Davis said.

Also helping at the event was the Lakeside High School baseball team. The Rams' coach, Leighton Hardin, said that the school supports the event because it is good for the students to get out and volunteer.

"It's just a way to give back to the community," Hardin said.

The baseball players handed out toys to the kids. This was the second time that the team has participated in the event. After volunteering last year, Hardin said that the event was "such a good deal, we came back."

In addition to toys, the children at the event also got a meal, supplied by Turf Catering. Wright said that some of the surplus meals would be donated to Jackson House.

Local on 12/16/2018

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