Some Hernando County families in need will be receiving Christmas dinners and toys this year, thanks to the joint efforts of local residents with big hearts. Athena Sanchez and Jessica Cecil of AJLV Events will be hosting a Holiday Shopping Event with Mom & Pop Polarbear Helping Families on Sunday November 29th from 10 am to 4 pm at 10181 N. Broad St in Brooksville. The location will be donated by Christina and Alan Jernigan, owners of Jernigan Towing.
Come get your Christmas shopping done early with a wide array of vendors that include Athena’s Lockets, Charms and More, Avon, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, Thirty-One, Usborne Books, Jewelry in Candles, Pink Zebra, The Rustic Shop, among many, many others. There will be food and beverages for purchase, a bounce house, face painter and even a visit from Santa Clause! Happy Tails Rescue will also be in attendance with a few foster pups that will be looking for their fur-ever homes.
All money from vendor fees and from the purchase of food and drink will go towards supplying meals and gifts to the projected 55 local Hernando County families and 150 children and potentially more. Each family will receive a meal and all kids receive two gifts off of their actual Christmas list. Anyone who brings a new, unwrapped toy to the event will also be given a raffle ticket to enter the 50/50 raffle for a Jewelry in Candles gift basket. For more information on the event and a list of vendors, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/200984010234099/
Stephanie and Ed Folkman founded Mom & Pop Polarbear Helping Families, an organization aimed to help those less fortunate, not only during the holiday season, but year round, by assisting people with life skills so that everyone has a chance to be independent. Next year, they hope to extend the services they provide to include coupon classes, clothes closet, resume help and more. They believe that if we help people learn ways to take care of themselves and their families the right way, it will have profound results. For more information or if you would like to donate food or gifts, please call 352-345-7610 or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mompoppolarbearhelpingfamilies/
For the last two years, AJLV Events has been hosting fundraisers for local charities by connecting them with participating vendors, locations, and resources. It’s a creative way to not only help a charity or organization raise much needed funds, it raises awareness in the community and it gives the donors a fun and interactive experience.
“It just fills my heart with joy that Jessica and I can help so many charities in and around Hernando County and make a difference doing so”, says Athena Sanchez.
The best way to help is to come out and show support while you have a great time. If you cannot attend but want to help in other ways, please contact Athena at 352-340-1123 or visit their events page at https://www.facebook.com/AJLVevents/
