Salvation Army celebrating Christmas in July with free food, entertainment and giveaways
The most wonderful time of the year may be six months away, but the Salvation Army is bringing jolly festivities to Iowa early with its annual Christmas in July event.
The Salvation Army will celebrate its second Christmas in July — featuring food, fun and giveaways — from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Des Moines' Evelyn K Davis Park.
The free event will offer Iowans family-friendly summertime activities while simultaneously spreading awareness about mortgage, rent, utilities and food assistance through the Salvation Army's social services and Pathway of Hope programs.
"We wanted to do something fun for the community while also recognizing there's a whole lot of people that are still struggling, and we find that they don't always think of the Salvation Army except at Christmastime," Salvation Army spokesperson Tamyra Harrison said. "And we're here all the time. We're here year round. We do a lot of things and help in a lot of ways people don't realize."
Around 800 adults and children attended the first annual Christmas in July event, and Harrison said the turnout Saturday is "probably going to blow that out of the water this year."
The event will feature an appearance by Santa and children will get to see two live reindeer at a booth with Santa's sleighs. Sponsors will provide free lunch, ice cream, snow cones, cotton candy and other treats.
Other activities will include bouncy houses, inflatable archery, street hockey with the Iowa Wild and face painting. Iowa Cubs mascot Cubbie Bear also will be in attendance, handing out free tickets to the Saturday night Iowa Cubs game.
"It's giving an opportunity for some fun and to get their mind off of the struggles that some folks are having right now," Harrison said. "And also making sure that they know they're not alone, that there are people out there who care and we're here for them. We want to make sure that they know all the ways we are here for them."
Creative Visions, St. Vincent de Paul, Urban Dreams and other neighborhood nonprofit organizations also will be on hand. New to the event this year are the Broadlawns WIC program and Laborers Local 177, a union that will educate eventgoers about apprenticeship opportunities.
Any funds raised will be directed toward financing the Salvation Army's service programs. Harrison said she hopes the event reminds the community that the Salvation Army is there to help anyone.
"There's no shame in reaching out and saying, 'Hey, I need some help,'" Harrison said. "And we want everybody to know that, without discrimination, we are there to help somebody and make sure that they have what they need."
To keep the holiday spirit alive while helping neighbors, the Salvation Army is seeking cash donations or in-kind giveaway items. Businesses interested in making a donation or volunteering should contact Tamyra Harrison at 515-282-3599 or at tamyra.harrison@usc.salvationarmy.org.
Grace Altenhofen is a staff writer for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at galtenhofen@registermedia.com or on Twitter @gracealtenhofen.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Salvation Army celebrating Christmas in July at Evelyn K Davis Park
