E&H Athletes Bring Christmas to Local Children

Emory & Henry women’s athletic teams have a long tradition of sponsoring Christmas parties for children from the region. Participants claim this year’s event may well be the best Christmas party to date.

Emory & Henry athletes always strive to increase in excellence. Each year has rendered a Christmas party more successful than the last, and this year’s event included not only female athletes, but E&H men’s teams as well.

The event was held in the King Center on Tuesday, Nov.30, and 34 children from Meadowview and Hayter’s Gap Head Start Programs participated. Each child was assigned to a group of four to six athletes who then, armed with some prior information including the child’s age, gender, interests, and clothing size, set out to purchase gifts.

On the day of the party, the King Center was filled with Christmas spirit as parents and athletes watched as the children opened their gifts. A little boy danced and laughed because he was so happy about his new toy horse, another boy chased a truck around the gym, and a little girl appeared overjoyed to be playing with her new board game.

Though the joy these athletes brought to these young girls and boys this holiday season will never be forgotten, the children perhaps gave these athletes a little something more. As the athletes sat on the gym floor, watching their child open his or her gifts, they could not help but smile.

When asked about this Christmas tradition, E&H volleyball player and SAAC President, Samantha Lucado said: “The Meadowview kids Christmas party is something I look forward to each year. Getting to spend time with these children and watching their faces light up when they open their favorite toys is heart-warming. Not only does it feel great that we can make a child's Christmas special, but it makes us all the more grateful for what we have.”