Christmas is a time for family, friends, fellowship and food. One organization in Hope has been sharing food for the past 14 years and they are doing it again.
Oasis of Hope will host their annual Christmas Eve Dinner on December 24 from 1-5 p.m. The dinner will be held at the Sheltered Workshop at the corner of Elm and Division Streets.
“We have been doing this for 14 years and the first year, we served 298,” Helen Byers, of the Sheltered Workshop and Oasis of Hope, said. “Last year, we fed 800 people.”
There will be local entertainment with people singing and, if it’s like in years past, playing instruments.
“It takes many volunteers to put a dinner on like this,” Byers said. “Volunteers help us with delivery, serving meals, manning the gift room, and cleaning up.”
The dinner is funded by private donors and area businesses. This year’s menu includes, ham, chicken and dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans and corn. The desserts come from different churches in the area.
“We invite everyone to come and enjoy the meal,” Byers said. “Anyone who doesn’t have family here or just wants some fellowship can come. Deliveries are available, but please call only on Christmas Eve. I will be taking calls from 8 a.m. on. Call 722-1269 and we’ll get you a meal.”
In keeping with the spirit of the Yuletide season, several events and drives are being held in Hope. Diamond Bank is participating in Toys for Tots. They will have boxes in the lobby, one box for non-perishable food items and a box for new unwrapped toys to be dropped off until Dec. 23. The U.S. Marines will pick up the toys for Toys for Tots.
A Christmas musical will be held on Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. at the New Beginning Church of God in Christ in Prescott. The program will feature the Combined Choir of New Beginning and Faith Temple; the Faith Singers, and churches in the surrounding area. All choirs and soloists welcome and door prizes will be given. For more information, call Herbert Adams, at 870-703-0601 or 870-432-0045.
Bethel A.M.E. Church in Hope will present its annual Christmas program on Dec. 20, at 2:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend.
The Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church will present its annual Christmas program, this year entitled “Christmas in Iraq.” The program will be held on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend the program.
Greater Hope Baptist Church in Hope will hold a Christmas Candlelight Service on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend the service.
First United Methodist Church of Hope will host its annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24.
Both the Hope Lions Club and the American Legion Post No. 427 will be giving Christmas baskets to people in need in the area. Both organizations will be delivering the baskets on Dec. 20. For more information on the Lions Club baskets, call Mark Keith at 777-3640.
--Grace Leonhart, Hope Star
