DWC celebrates Christmas for the first time since 2019
The Downtown Women's Center is recognizing its clients' achievements and celebrating the holiday season with two upcoming Christmas events, including the Soroptimist International of Amarillo Christmas Party, and the DWC Christmas party.
The first of the two events, the Soroptimist International of Amarillo Christmas Party, will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Meridian Apartments, 2201 SW 6th Ave. The event will be held for residents of the DWC’s three shelters, Abba House, Haven House and Gratitude House.
Soroptimist International of Amarillo is a global organization that provides access to women and young girls to education and training needed to achieve economic stability and empowerment. During the Christmas event, approximately 15 Amarillo Soroptimist volunteers will present the 40 women and 19 children currently utilizing the DWC housing programs with Christmas gifts in the form of gift cards and personalized items.
"This event really is a big Christmas event for our women and children. This is a way for Soroptimist to inspire our women and share their knowledge. They get to talk to us, but I feel like sometimes hearing from others really helps to encourage our women. ... It's a reminder of what Christmas is about and who is important in our lives and a chance tell our women that we know their journey to recovery is difficult, but we are very proud of you and are happy to celebrate Christmas with you," said Debra Velarde, Development Coordinator of DWC.
In addition to the giving of gifts, the children will also have the opportunity to speak with Santa and participate in crafts and games. This Christmas meal will be catered by Youngbloods Cafe, and will be the first indoor Christmas event since 2019. Velarde said that previous years' events had been held outdoors to follow COVID-19 precautionary guidelines, and they are glad to be back indoors and all together again.
The second of the two events is the DWC's Christmas party, to be held Thursday, Dec. 15 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 S. Washington from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
This event will include more than 100 individuals in attendance: DWC' board members, staff, volunteers, and residents including children not living in a DWC facility, members of the Ladies Auxiliary and Mens Club.
The event will include gift giving, crafts and games for the children in attendance, a dinner catered by Dyers BBQ, door prizes available for the adults including items such as a Starbucks gift basket and essential items. Santa and his elves will also be in attendance. After dinner, an award ceremony will be held honoring DWC staff members and volunteers.
"This is us coming back to Christmas. We haven't been able to host a Christmas event like this since 2019, and it is a way for us to let our women know that we want them and their children to have a good Christmas and inspire them to continue with their recovery and make that change in their life," Velarde said.
The DWC also wants to thank and recognize the community for donating all Christmas gifts that will be presented at the event, the organization states: "Due to the generosity of the community, we have not had to utilize any of our funds to benefit this Christmas celebration and are grateful for your generosity."
For more information on these events or to donate to the DWC, visit them online at https://dwcenter.org/ .
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: DWC recognizes residents achievements with upcoming Christmas events
