The holidays carry special memories and a bit of magic for many people. For those who may be struggling financially, Christmas carries added stress. When there’s not enough paycheck to cover the utilities, or rent, buying Christmas presents for the family is a near impossibility. To help ease the burden on some families, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming hosts “Club Christmas” each year in mid-December.

“This event is important because many of the families that are invited are struggling to make ends meet and need us more than ever to help keep the magic of Christmas alive for themselves and their children,” said Nicole Arner, PV Club Director and Club Christmas coordinator.

Participating families have to be invited to take part in Club Christmas. The evening is a family affair held at the Main Club. As the kids are kept busy, parents can browse through Santa’s workshop to pick out toys and other gifts for their children. The Auxiliary Gym serves as Santa’s workshop with towering piles of games, dolls, building blocks, books, cars and trucks, and more fills the gym floor. From babies to teens and boys to girls, there is something for all ages.

The items are all new and are donated from various avenues including Wyoming Food for Thought, Dicks Sporting Goods, Dollar Tree and from the public through Townsquare Media’s Stuff the Van Drive. Club directors and staff volunteer during the Stuff the Van Drive.

This year, 57 families were able to take part in Club Christmas. According to Ms. Nicole, who has been involved in the event for the past 12 years, this has been the biggest turn-out yet.

“The greatest part of this evening is seeing the pure gratefulness and relief on the parents’ faces. Knowing that we can help provide a little magic for these families makes it all worth it,” said Ms. Nicole.