A small army of 40 National Life Group volunteers stepped up on Tuesday, Dec. 6 to put on a beautiful holiday event in Dallas for some of our most vulnerable community members.
About 350 children and their families – brought together by our partner, Vogel Alcove, an early childhood development and parent opportunity center for homeless families – gathered Tuesday evening at Dallas’ Old City Park, along with staff and volunteers from Vogel Alcove and National Life Group.
For the second year, National Life Group sponsored a delicious holiday meal as well as fun activities such as balloon animals, bubbles, horse-drawn carriage rides and pictures with Santa Claus.
This year, we gathered at Old City Park, home to the largest and finest collection of 19th century pioneer and Victorian homes and commercial buildings in Texas. These buildings, moved from throughout North Central Texas to Dallas’ first city park, line the tree-shaded 20-acre setting of Old City Park.
In the Browder Building, National Life Group’s own Rob Hollander donned the big man’s jolly red fur-lined suit and long flowing white beard to spread the joy and do photos with families – thank you, Rob! There was much laughter – a few requisite tears (nothing personal, Rob!) – and the children left with their own teddy bear. Outside, families enjoyed horse-drawn rides around the park in a holiday bedecked carriage draped in an evergreen garland and fairy lights pulled by two large, sublime horses. Beginning at 5 p.m. we served a delicious homemade Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings in the Pavilion, where families could also take food to-go. We followed that with bubble shows on Main Street. And across the way, children were amazed by a balloon artist who bent balloons into fun shapes. At the Band Stand, families had fun with arts and crafts and made ornaments. And as an added bonus, four-time Olympian, Chaunté Lowe, joined the festivities to meet the families and staff. Families left with a National Life gift bag.
Head of Corporate Communications and Community Relations Beth Rusnock caught our CISO, Becky Palmer, in a random act of kindness in the Pavillion, where she held a mother’s newborn baby so the mother could eat her dinner hands-free. Beth also reportedly overheard a little girl exclaim, “this was the best party ever!”
“The children and families we serve at Vogel Alcove are often recovering from severe trauma and they’re just getting back on their feet—so the holidays can be difficult,” Vogel Alcove President and CEO Karen Hughes said. “Joyful holiday moments like this event are such a wonderful way to uplift these families and celebrate our blessings. We are so excited to host this event with National Life Group for a second year.”
A HUGE shoutout to Community Relations Specialist Jessica Russo, who planned the entire event. You are amazing.
And thank you to all the volunteers who stepped up create some light for those who need it most. This couldn’t have been done without you.
One more time: Best. Party. Ever.