Twas’ the week before Christmas and all through St. James, the children all gathered to get their presents and games.
The 11th annual Kool Kids For Christ After-School Christmas Program was ushered in with about 100 children and members of the community reveling in food and gifts from generous donors and sponsors.
“We are extremely thankful to M&M Motors, Wal-Mart, One Stop Job Center and especially our principal donors Jay and Joel Osteen and the Osteen and Osteen firm,” St. James Sports Center Director Ernie Walthour said.
Since its inception, the St. James Holiness Church and the adjoining sports center has provided a refuge for children in the community and offered them a safe place to go after school and stay involved in educational and athletic programs.
Alfreda Golden is the educational specialist and helps the children with their homework. She also tutors children struggling in a particular area. After their lessons, the children go the sports center where they learn how to play basketball, volleyball or weightlifting, and are schooled in the fundamentals of athletic sportsmanship.
The sports center also serves as the home field for First Presbyterian Christian Academy’s current basketball teams.
As for the evening, the children and invited guest enjoyed a catered meal while Omari Walthour sang a Christmas song and the Kool Kids performed a radio play and a step dance.
But the highlight of the night was when Jay Osteen stepped up to the microphone and announced it was gift time.
The children with the best program attendance had an opportunity to pick their gifts first. The stage was lined with toys and new bicycles, all arranged under the brightly lit Christmas tree.
One by one, the children’s names were called out and the stage was quickly cleared. The gym floor then became the playground as the children paraded their new bikes and toys for all to see.
“I want to thank the staff of St. James and specifically Pastor Marvin Kelly. They all do an outstanding job in improving the quality of life for these kids,” Walthour said. “This was our 11th Christmas program and it was beautiful. It was another successful event and I thank God for that.”Twas’ the week before Christmas and all through St. James, the children all gathered to get their presents and games.
The 11th annual Kool Kids For Christ After-School Christmas Program was ushered in with about 100 children and members of the community reveling in food and gifts from generous donors and sponsors.
“We are extremely thankful to M&M Motors, Wal-Mart, One Stop Job Center and especially our principal donors Jay and Joel Osteen and the Osteen and Osteen firm,” St. James Sports Center Director Ernie Walthour said.
Since its inception, the St. James Holiness Church and the adjoining sports center has provided a refuge for children in the community and offered them a safe place to go after school and stay involved in educational and athletic programs.
Alfreda Golden is the educational specialist and helps the children with their homework. She also tutors children struggling in a particular area. After their lessons, the children go the sports center where they learn how to play basketball, volleyball or weightlifting, and are schooled in the fundamentals of athletic sportsmanship.
The sports center also serves as the home field for First Presbyterian Christian Academy’s current basketball teams.
As for the evening, the children and invited guest enjoyed a catered meal while Omari Walthour sang a Christmas song and the Kool Kids performed a radio play and a step dance.
But the highlight of the night was when Jay Osteen stepped up to the microphone and announced it was gift time.
The children with the best program attendance had an opportunity to pick their gifts first. The stage was lined with toys and new bicycles, all arranged under the brightly lit Christmas tree.
One by one, the children’s names were called out and the stage was quickly cleared. The gym floor then became the playground as the children paraded their new bikes and toys for all to see.
“I want to thank the staff of St. James and specifically Pastor Marvin Kelly. They all do an outstanding job in improving the quality of life for these kids,” Walthour said. “This was our 11th Christmas program and it was beautiful. It was another successful event and I thank God for that.”
The 11th annual Kool Kids For Christ After-School Christmas Program was ushered in with about 100 children and members of the community reveling in food and gifts from generous donors and sponsors.
“We are extremely thankful to M&M Motors, Wal-Mart, One Stop Job Center and especially our principal donors Jay and Joel Osteen and the Osteen and Osteen firm,” St. James Sports Center Director Ernie Walthour said.
Since its inception, the St. James Holiness Church and the adjoining sports center has provided a refuge for children in the community and offered them a safe place to go after school and stay involved in educational and athletic programs.
Alfreda Golden is the educational specialist and helps the children with their homework. She also tutors children struggling in a particular area. After their lessons, the children go the sports center where they learn how to play basketball, volleyball or weightlifting, and are schooled in the fundamentals of athletic sportsmanship.
The sports center also serves as the home field for First Presbyterian Christian Academy’s current basketball teams.
As for the evening, the children and invited guest enjoyed a catered meal while Omari Walthour sang a Christmas song and the Kool Kids performed a radio play and a step dance.
But the highlight of the night was when Jay Osteen stepped up to the microphone and announced it was gift time.
The children with the best program attendance had an opportunity to pick their gifts first. The stage was lined with toys and new bicycles, all arranged under the brightly lit Christmas tree.
One by one, the children’s names were called out and the stage was quickly cleared. The gym floor then became the playground as the children paraded their new bikes and toys for all to see.
“I want to thank the staff of St. James and specifically Pastor Marvin Kelly. They all do an outstanding job in improving the quality of life for these kids,” Walthour said. “This was our 11th Christmas program and it was beautiful. It was another successful event and I thank God for that.”Twas’ the week before Christmas and all through St. James, the children all gathered to get their presents and games.
The 11th annual Kool Kids For Christ After-School Christmas Program was ushered in with about 100 children and members of the community reveling in food and gifts from generous donors and sponsors.
“We are extremely thankful to M&M Motors, Wal-Mart, One Stop Job Center and especially our principal donors Jay and Joel Osteen and the Osteen and Osteen firm,” St. James Sports Center Director Ernie Walthour said.
Since its inception, the St. James Holiness Church and the adjoining sports center has provided a refuge for children in the community and offered them a safe place to go after school and stay involved in educational and athletic programs.
Alfreda Golden is the educational specialist and helps the children with their homework. She also tutors children struggling in a particular area. After their lessons, the children go the sports center where they learn how to play basketball, volleyball or weightlifting, and are schooled in the fundamentals of athletic sportsmanship.
The sports center also serves as the home field for First Presbyterian Christian Academy’s current basketball teams.
As for the evening, the children and invited guest enjoyed a catered meal while Omari Walthour sang a Christmas song and the Kool Kids performed a radio play and a step dance.
But the highlight of the night was when Jay Osteen stepped up to the microphone and announced it was gift time.
The children with the best program attendance had an opportunity to pick their gifts first. The stage was lined with toys and new bicycles, all arranged under the brightly lit Christmas tree.
One by one, the children’s names were called out and the stage was quickly cleared. The gym floor then became the playground as the children paraded their new bikes and toys for all to see.
“I want to thank the staff of St. James and specifically Pastor Marvin Kelly. They all do an outstanding job in improving the quality of life for these kids,” Walthour said. “This was our 11th Christmas program and it was beautiful. It was another successful event and I thank God for that.”