By Susan Redden
sredden@joplinglobe.com
CARTHAGE, Mo. — The economic downturn is translating to a longer guest list of youngsters who are invited to an annual Christmas party for underprivileged children.
The event is sponsored each year by the Carthage Police Department. About 600 children were invited a year ago, and invitations are being sent to about 700 this year, said police Capt. Randee Kaiser.
“It looks like it’s going to be a record number,” he said.
The recession also is having an impact on fundraising. Donations thus far, Kaiser said, “are down considerably from years past.”
“It stands to reason that when there are more kids that have a need, those same conditions would make it more difficult for those who give to the party,” he said.
The event, a 33-year tradition, is set for Saturday, Dec. 19 at Carthage Memorial Hall.
“I don’t know how we can do more kids than last year, but we’re going to,” said police Chief Greg Dagnan.
Funding comes solely from donations by area residents, businesses and organizations. Hosting more kids will mean higher costs; Kaiser said the fundraising goal is at least $7,000.
“The whole thing is based on volunteer work and contributions,” he said. “It’s contingent on what people are willing to do.”
Youngsters who are invited to the party will receive $10 gift cards from Wal-Mart, and there will be drawings for larger prizes such as bicycles. Santa will make an appearance, and Carthage entertainer Duke Mason and his band will perform.
Mason also will perform in concert on Saturday, Dec. 5, at Memorial Hall to raise funds for the holiday party.
“The kids love him, and we really appreciate his support,” Kaiser said.
Other groups and individuals volunteer, and Carthage Junior High School’s leadership council helps each year. The students help set up the hall, assist during the party and help clean up after the hordes of youngsters have left.
Junior high students also raise funds for the event, and they normally raise about $1,000 through “penny wars” that pit classes and teams against one another, said Tiffany Stringer, who has been leadership council adviser for the past nine years.
The night before the party, the 28 students who are council members help volunteers set up the hall. They then bag candy for all the children who will attend.
The day of the party, the students put cookies and juice boxes at each place, then help get youngsters seated to make sure everyone can fit, and help hand out toys won in drawings.
“They wear Christmas hats so the kids can tell who they are if they need anything,” Stringer said. “They help kids as they leave, then help with cleanup.”
After they’re done, the volunteers go for pizza, to unwind and share stories from the event.
Stringer said her favorite memory is from several years ago, when a little boy won a bicycle. He wanted to leave the party immediately so he could go home and start riding it.
“He was so excited and just beaming from ear to ear,” she said. “He was trying to figure out how to get the bicycle out of the hall through all the crowd. They had to talk him into waiting.”
