Mayor Jewel Hensley of the Village of New Miami started the event three years ago with the help of local churches. Local businesses and nonprofits will also participate.
“Our group, Hope for the Village, wanted to bring hope back for the Village of New Miami and bring the community back together. So, we began to have free, community-wide events,” she said.
“The Christmas Walk was a big hit as many churches and non-profit organizations along with local government and small businesses came together and opened their doors to the community with activities, gifts, and of course, gifts from Santa Claus,” said Hensley.
The one-day event will have everything from a walk-through Bethlehem experience, to live animals, cookie decorating, 20 bike raffles, toy raffles as well as Santa Claus passing out gifts and taking photos with children at Town Hall and more. The Grinch will also be on the loose, stopping at the various locations. State Representative Thomas Hall will attend the festivities.
“Last year was our first year participating. We like to be involved with the community, and it’s a great thing they do for New Miami, so we wanted to be a part of it,” said Terry Unthank, pastor of the Miracle Revival Center.
He said Miracle Revival Center will host an “Old-Fashioned Christmas.” The activities will include crafts, telling of the Christmas story, and guests will receive a stocking they can customize. Each visitor will also receive a gift of fruit and candy.
“Last year, the parents had as much fun as the kids did,” Unthank said. “It’s really an event for the whole family.”
Parade participants will meet at Bridgepoint Elementary, across from Algonquin in Cherokee Park and line up at 9 a.m. The parade will kick-off from Bridgepoint Elementary at 10 a.m. and travel down Algonquin hill to Seven Mile Ave., then make a right on Riverside Drive (Ohio 127), and then right on Augspurger Avenue, and turn left to go back up Algonquin hill and end at Bridgepoint Elementary.
“I’m hoping the community walks away from this with hope, and they see that there are people out there who care about them, and they not going to go empty-handed at Christmas … we are going to make sure they are able to make memories that will last a lifetime,” Hensley said.
Participants will be given “a passport” that they can have stamped at each location for a chance to win a $50 gift card along with other prizes. Stops include Town Hall at 268 Whitaker Ave., Christ Church at 104 Highland Ave., Miracle Revival Center at 185 Morris Ave., Rivers of Life Church at 323 Riverside Drive, Deliverance Chapel at 180 Elliot Ave., Wesleyan Church at 67 Elliot Ave., Pentecostal Faith Church at 30 Cain Ave., Full Gospel Mission at 2030 Williams St., Couch’s Market at 2115 Hamilton Eaton Road, Village Food Pantry, One Village, New Miami Police Department and the New Miami Fire Department (along with St. Clair/New Miami Life Squad at the New Miami Fire Department).
Participants should meet back at Town Hall between 3-3:30 p.m. to drop off completed passports. Once names are drawn, participants can pick out a prize. For more info., visit the Hope for the Village Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/600638631284477.
About the Author
