Welcome Neighbor Hosts Popular Teen-Led Winter Party
By: Kurt Greenbaum
Welcome Neighbor STL is gearing up for its annual Winter Party on Dec. 8, a time to spread cheer and create a fun experience for refugee children in the St. Louis area. The event is organized and run by Welcome Neighbor’s START (St. Louis Teens Aid Refugees Today) program and includes an afternoon of fun, games, and thoughtful gifts for families.
“This event is entirely led by the teenagers,” said Ann Wittman, START program director. “They are responsible for coming up with a gift that every single child gets and organizing the games.”
Organizers expect 100 to 150 children and their families at this year’s Winter Party, which is designed to be inclusive and culturally sensitive. The idea is to focus on universal themes of winter and togetherness rather than specific religious holidays. Children can look forward to a variety of engaging activities, including a dedicated game section with favorites like the lollipop pole and a thrilling pig racing board.
A craft section will offer opportunities for creative expression with activities like hand tattoos and making festive winter cards.
Every child attending will receive a special gift selected by the START teens. Last year’s event featured the ever-popular Squishmallows, and this year’s gift promises to be equally exciting. Additionally, each family will go home with a laundry basket filled with essential household items like paper towels, toilet paper, soap and shampoo, collected and distributed by the teens.
Teens can still sign up for volunteer slots here. And anyone can purchase gifts from this Amazon wishlist.
This event exemplifies the mission of both Welcome Neighbor STL and its youth program, START, to support newly arrived families as they adapt to their new home.
“Every family that comes leaves at the basket full of household items,” Wittman said. “It’s a very popular event.”
