Volunteers were on hand to provide the ultimate shopping experience for children of all ages. The event saw an estimated 175 – 200 kids who got to shop for their families.

This year’s Christmas Memories was held on Tuesday, December 18 and according to Christy Nuetzman, Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, said the night was definitely a “great night” for the children and parents alike.

“We had 130 to sign in, but I feel like we missed several. My estimate would be around 175-200,” Nuetzman said. “We didn’t get in all the activities associated with the Albany Christmas Memories event, but it was a great night for those who attended. So many people have commented to us about the community tree lighting event that we will proceed next year despite the weather.”

This year’s event had somewhat replaced the Christmas Village that Clinton County Homemakers have sponsored in the past. It was a way for children to shop for their parents and family members in order to purchase gifts without parents knowing what kids were buying.

“Although numbers may have been less, the event went well. Fifty kids were able to shop and we still had lots of items available at the end. The event was later in December than our typical Christmas Village but the children enjoyed the shopping experience as much as any group has in the past. The Homemakers sold each item for $1 in an effort to better serve families and have ideas for a new format next year,” Nuetzman said. “I think combining activities and partners is the greatest strength to community events we’ve offered lately. The library had a variety of literacy activities related to the Polar Express and crafts for the holiday season. The staff at Early Childhood Center went above expectation with their Literacy Night activities. The building was transformed into The Polar Express. It added so much to the experience and the chance to watch the movie at the end of the night.”

With any event, a team effort is usually necessary in order to provide an event for the community.

“The team effort helped all of us reach more families and that is the ultimate goal for all us,” Nuetzman said. “Extension plans to offer at least quarterly community wide activities in the next year to engage families, encourage pride in our community, and promote togetherness.”

Above, Gracie Dishman found one of several activities to participate in on Tuesday, December 18. Staff members from the Lake Cumberland Area Health Department was on hand to paint faces with holiday themes for kids who attended.

At left, April Speck, made some photos of the children she brought to last week’s Christmas Memories events with the man himself, Santa Claus.

Santa appeared at the Christmas Memories event in his special Clinton County Bulldog Blue suit.