What started 10 years ago as a service project for a Girl Scout troop has turned into a community-wide outreach for the citizens of McDonough. The Henry County town has rallied behind what’s become the annual Kindness Works Christmas Party for special-needs children - a party that frequently hosts more volunteers than guests.
The event took off when Dana Fessler and Cindy Carter helped their 10-year-old daughters, Heather and Katie, create a Scout outreach project.
“That first time, we had only about 10 children and some friends and volunteers from our church,” said Fessler, who has lived in town for 20 years. “But the kids who came and the girls loved it so much that we decided to do it every year.”
Fessler and Carter worked with the local Sunshine League, an athletic organization for special-needs kids, to find children to invite. The Girl Scouts handmade invitations that now have become an important part of the party.
“Parents tell us their kids so look for that invitation,” said Carter, who moved to McDonough in 1985. “And they’re still all handmade with a lot of love.”
In 2006, two moms joined forces with the nonprofit Kindness Works. With that organization’s added momentum, the small gathering began to grow and attract supporters from across the town and county.
“That got local civic associations, women’s clubs, Lions clubs and Boy Scout Troop 99 helping out,” said Fessler. “Two churches - McDonough Christian and McDonough Presbyterian - supply a few hundred volunteers. The local pizza place donates pizza. Everyone is more than willing to help out.”
The added support allowed more to attend. Guests are now invited from around the county - and even beyond. This year’s party on Dec. 1 at McDonough Christian Church drew 80 children.
“We’ve had people come from surrounding counties,” said Fessler. “We’ve even had siblings come, too. We don’t turn anybody away.”
During the 3-hour party, the special-needs guests are paired with volunteer escorts who help them create arts and crafts projects, play a vareity of games and sing to a karaoke machine. The guests also enjoy lunch. Santa is part of the day, too, and each child has a photo taken with him that goes into a well-stuffed goodie bag.
While the kids are having a good time, their parents get three hours all to themselves.
“We’re also trying to give families a break to maybe go to lunch with another child, shop or just relax,” said Carter. “So many of them are single moms, and their free time is so precious because they have so little of it.”
For the party’s young volunteers, the hugs and smiles they receive keep them coming back every year. Even Carter and Fessler’s 20-year-old college student-daughters still pitch in.
“It’s really neat how the teenagers come back later and say this was the best thing they’ve ever done,” said Fessler. “It’s great for them and the whole town. We hope to see even more involvement in the future. We’re always looking for new ways to reach out.”
Each Saturday, we shine a spotlight on a local neighborhood, city or community. To suggest a place for us to visit, e-mail H.M. Cauley at hm_cauley@yahoo.com or call 404-514-6162.
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