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Greenway Baptist Church in Boone Hosts Inaugural Christmas Expo Nov. 15-16 to Benefit Daycare Center

Nov. 14, 2013. The Greenway Baptist Church will host the inaugural Christmas Expo on Nov. 15, from 3-8 p.m. and Nov. 16 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission to the event is $3 for adults or an equal amount on nonperishable food items. 

imgresOnce inside the gym of the church, a Christmas wonderland awaits with Christmas trees that the daycare children have decorated, lots of exciting vendor booths and tables, food and baked goods for sale and even Christmas music playing in the background. The Watauga Children’s Council will be there too, selling their calendars as a fundraiser for a Diaper Drive. Make sure to visit the Angel Tree that will be present to help make a child’s Christmas bright this year. 

More than 26 vendors will be participating from Avon, Arbonne, Paparazzi Jewelry, 31, Times Past Toys, Mountain Man Wood Designs, quilting items, Premier Designs, crocheted rope scarves, vintage decor, gifts in a jar, handmade soaps, Pink Zebra, ornaments, Deco Wreaths and so much more. 

Bring the kids to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus on Friday from 6-8 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. A photographer will take pictures and will have them for purchase when your shopping is completed. This event makes a great photo opportunity as well as great gifts for the family. 

In the end, one of the most important reasons for creating this special event is to help support the teachers and classrooms at this Child Development Center. This is not just a “drop your kid off at the babysitters all day” kind of place.

It is caring and living hands-on center that teaches young children colors, letters through Letter Land and more, preparing each child for Kindergarten when they leave. This Christmas Expo will help provide the No. 1 need, which is books, along with art supplies, dress-up clothes, teaching materials and more to each classroom. 

So come on out to the one stop shop and have some good old-fashioned Christmas fun and Cheer. 

Out of a compassionate heart, Amanda Winebarger began a Parent Teacher Organization several years ago at Greenway Baptist Child Development Center as a way to show appreciation to the teachers and their hard work. Knowing that these teachers work hard on a daily basis with many children, Winebarger believed that it took several special people to make a daycare work, and set out to help with the needs of the classrooms along with other parents of the children attending the daycare. 

As the first few weeks faded into months, the needs began to surface not only from the teachers in the classrooms, but the families of the students as well. After meeting with other PTO members, a fund was set up to help the students’ families financially and several events were put in place to help, such as yard sales, volunteering for fall festivals and chicken lunches and serving teachers and spouses at the annual Staff Christmas Party. 

Yet, there was still a longing to accomplish even more in the midst of a harsh economic atmosphere. After all, this was for the kids.

After some contemplation, Winebarger came up with a vision of bringing people together in one place, sharing conversation, laughter, a good time, a sense of community and bringing warmth and smiles to hearts and faces.