It was an early Christmas for 20 families in the Chuckatuck and Everets areas on Saturday.

Parents and children alike were treated to a party at Little Bethel Baptist Church on Everets Road, put on by the New Beginning Missionaries of the church. The attendees enjoyed refreshments, games, music and visits with Santa Claus, and each child took home a gift.

“This is basically a party to give people a chance to get away for a little while,” said Kimberly Ford, the president of the association.

Families who needed a little extra help this Christmas were invited to the party through word of mouth and other means, Ford said.

“We know the economy’s rough and people are struggling,” Ford said. “We just want to help where we can.”

The scene inside the church’s fellowship hall was a festive one Saturday. The walls were lined with tables holding dolls, board games, toys cars and more. A decorated Christmas tree towered over a pile of even more gifts.

The children, however, largely ignored the presents during the party, focusing instead on enjoying edible goodies, telling Santa Claus their Christmas wishes and playing games like musical chairs.

At the end of the event, each of the 50 children received two gifts. Every adult also received a gift, Ford said.

“It turned out really nice,” she said. “I think they had a good time.”

The church members enjoyed seeing the children’s joy just as much as their own parents did, Ford said.
“It’s for them, and it’s for us, too,” she said.

This was the second year for the event. Plans already are in the works for next year, Ford said.

“We’ll definitely be reaching out to more people next year,” she said. “We think we’re going to have to move it to a larger place.”