We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Who doesn't like a party, especially a Christmas party? Thanksgiving is Thursday and the Christmas season officially kicks off. Throughout December and even into January Christmas parties of some sort will be taking place nearly every week. Some will be Owners and managers of local businesses showing their appreciation for their employees, others may be clubs or organizations getting together to celebrate the season and a few will be gatherings organized by local churches celebrating the season with their congregation.
Each year the Chinook Alliance Church Ladies hold their annual Christmas Party in early December, and they will be doing so once again this year. The twist however is that this year's party will double as a fundraiser for the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation. The Theme for this year's Celebration will be 'Jesus Loves the Little Children'. The party is scheduled for Sunday, December 11 at the Chinook Alliance Church, 115 Indiana Street in Chinook. Festivities will get underway at 5:00 pm and will include a meal and a short program. There is no cost to attend, but there will be a free will offering jar for those wanting to donate.
Betty Billmayer, an organizer of the event is excited for this year's celebration, "We named it 'Jesus Loves Little Children' because Jesus does just that, he loves all the little children. When we were getting things together and started to plan our annual Christmas party, we decided to make it a play on that." The Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation have been working tirelessly for several years now in an effort to raise money for local pool and park. "It's really about helping the children which is why we went with our theme."
The Chinook City Pool needs major repair, and the Ensign Sweet Memorial Park needs upgrades in so many areas as well to meet the needs of providing a safe place for families to gather. "The pool and the park are such great outlets for all children, but especially little children and we wanted to do our part to help out the Friends of the Pool and Park. They have all done so much, gave so much of themselves, we wanted to make sure we did our part," added Billmayer. "So many kids and families from all over, not just Chinook come and enjoy the pool and park and took make it as safe as possible is a really great cause."
The nights fun will get started at 5:00 pm and will feature a silent auction to take part in while enjoying a Potato Bar with all the fixings, taco meat, sour cream and cheeses to name a few. A dessert bar will also be offered as well. Silent auction items will be on display as soon as you enter the building and will feature some holiday themed items. In addition, a short Christmas themed program with special music will be performed.
Organizers are currently accepting donations for the silent auction and anyone wanting to include an item in the auction should contact Kyli Kropf, 406-390-2454 before December 11. "We are hoping that maybe some folks will be able to do some of their Christmas shopping while also supporting the auction," said Billmayer. Also included in the silent auction will be four season family passes to the Chinook City Pool to be used next summer. "Season passes for a family could really benefit a young family," said Billmayer. "We have had plenty of discussion surrounding people donating items that may be used as Christmas gifts or be purchased for use with the Angle Tree program as well and hope that may increase the number of bidders."
Linda Sharples organizes the Angel Tree annually and it is a wonderful way to help children have the best Christmas they can. All the information for each child represented on the Angel Tree is gathered by Linda and noted on the back of each Angel. Typically, that information includes the age and gender of the child as well as clothing/shoe sizes, favorite colors, interest and maybe a wish. The tree will be on display at Finley's Food Farm. Simply take an Angel from the tree, shop for the child on back and drop the gifts of at the First Bank of Montana in Chinook.
Billmayer wants to remind everyone "The Christmas party is open to all ladies of the community, surrounding communities or whoever may be passing through town and wants to stop in. In addition, we will be providing a babysitting service to anyone who may need it. Dentin DePriest and Tyler Kropf will be our babysitters this year." Please RSVP to Betty if you plan to attend the event by calling 406-357-4100 by Thursday, December 8. Also be sure to let her know if you will be your little ones as well.
