The Arnold Kiwanis Club is collecting hats and gloves to give to local residents in need at its Festival of Lights Giving Fair, which will be from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Fox C-6 Service Center, 849 Jeffco Blvd., in Arnold.
Local businesses, organizations and groups may still reserve a booth for the fair. Those with booths are asked to give out cookies, hot chocolate, popcorn or other treats to attendees. It’s free to get a booth but the deadline to reserve one is Nov. 30.
Local residents are invited to attend the fair, and admission is free. However, they are encouraged to bring a toy to be donated to local children in need and nonperishable food items for the Arnold Food Pantry and the Brendan’s Backpack program.
Santa will be on hand at the fair, and children may get photos with him. There will be Christmas carolers, and high school band students will perform.
The fair also will include a silent auction, and organizers are seeking donations of gift certificates and other items for it.
The Arnold Kiwanis Club was chartered in December 2015, after a previous Arnold club dissolved several years ago. The former Arnold Kiwanis Club used to hold an annual Christmas Parade in the city, but the last one was held in 2005. The newly formed club is holding the Giving Fair instead.
The club currently has 12 members, including president Wally Lionberger, secretary Ronda Eames, treasurer Karen Atwood and president-elect Sherry Poppen.
Its focus is to “help children in our community and around the world,” Lionberger said.
The club currently sponsors a Key Club at both Seckman and Fox high schools.
In addition, the Kiwanis Club has provided a scholarship to a Seckman High Key Club member and has helped with a variety of community service projects over the past year.
The club holds meetings at noon on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at Ponderosa Steakhouse in Arnold.
To reserve a Giving Fair booth, to make a donation or for more information, contact Yount at 636-296-8148.