She wanted to do something special for the kids.
A Florida woman says she is hoping to show 125 kids what Christmas is all about with an extravagant holiday bash.
Carolynn Smith, who has been working with non-profit organizations for years, said the Wilbert Davis Boys and Girls Club in Tampa has a special place in her heart as she has mentored kids there for the past five years.
This year, she decided she wanted to do something super special for all of the children, many of whom are underprivileged, who attend the club.
Smith said that while the area is haunted by a serial killer who has killed at least four people and remains at large; she wanted to bring some light to local kids.
“With everything that has been going on with our community, people have been messaging me about what I can do to help this year,” Smith told InsideEdition.com.
That’s when Smith decided she would throw the party. Her budget is $25 for each kid and she hopes to get them each one or two gifts.
“Some of these kids don’t even have a chance to have a Christmas tree at Christmastime,” Smith said. “I just want to really instill hope and to show them that there [are] a lot of good things and good people in the world.”
The party will take place on Dec 15 in the club’s gym. Smith hopes it will be bigger than the kids have ever seen and the space will be decked out with food, gifts and Christmas trees.
Smith posted a video to Facebook to solicit help from friends and the community.
“I’m hoping that all the people who ask me how they can help and be involved in the charity work that I’ve done in the past will truly step forward because now more than ever is when the community needs to come together,” she says in the video.
Smith said she has already raised $7,000 for the “winter wonderland”-themed event through GoFundMe and personal donations.
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