CRESTVIEW — For the 11th year, volunteers will bring Christmas cheer to needy Okaloosa County families.
United for a Good Cause Inc., a tax-exempt non-profit known for its family-oriented Hispanic Fest, will present the Dec. 19 Emerald Coast Christmas Miracle Needy Children’s Fiesta in Fort Walton Beach.
“Everything will be free at this party, including new toys for all that attend,” organizers stated in a media release.
A dedicated organizing committee, with leaders from all parts of the county, will produce the event, which is expected to draw upward of 1,000 attendees.
Crestview resident Estela Elias will be among them, serving as event vice chairman.
Originally called Luces Navideñas, or Christmas Lights, the Children’s Fiesta outgrew its Boys and Girls Club home five years ago, Elias said.
“When we passed the 500 number, we had to get a bigger venue,” she said.” We stopped counting after 700. Last year, we served over 900 to a 1,000.”
Attendees can expect food, games, disc jockeys, singers, church choirs, clowns, magicians, dance contests for bikes and more, according to a United for a Good Cause media release.
In addition, free coats will be distributed through United Way’s “Coats for Kids” program, “because there is a need. Kids would ask for them,” Elias said.
And activities are scheduled for special-needs kids and their families.
“This is the second year we have done a special-needs area,” Elias said. “I don’t know of any other (local event) that has a special-needs area. We have a Santa who is trained to work with special-needs children just for them.”
The event draws attendees from throughout the tri-county area and farther, Elias said, adding, "There is so much need in this area, you would not believe. People come from Escambia, even Alabama.”
United for a Good Cause’s Children’s Fiesta and summer Hispanic Fest are just two of Elias’ community outreach efforts. She’s also a volunteer with the Crestview High School chorus.
“I’m all over the place,” she said. “It’s my passion.”
What: Emerald Coast Christmas Miracle Needy Children’s Fiesta
When: 2-7 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: Striving for Perfection Ministries, 24 Bass Ave., SW, Fort Walton Beach
Cost: Free
Notes: Christmas festival with food, games, performers and Coats for Kids giveaway, sponsored by United for a Good Cause Inc. Donations are welcome and business sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact David Triana, 368-3505, dt4alexis@gmail.com, or Estela Elias, 305-3686, estela.elias@unitedforagoodcause.org.
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview resident aids effort to help needy families