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STEUBENVILLE -- The Sycamore Youth Center will once again bring the sights, sounds and spirit of Christmas to downtown Steubenville as it hosts its annual Old-Fashioned Country Christmas Concert and Community Giveaway at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 Thursday.
The free event will take place at the Sycamore Youth Center, located at 301 N. Fourth St., and will feature an evening of Christmas music, entertainment, fellowship and gifts for children and families throughout the Ohio Valley.
One of the highlights of the evening will be the distribution of free children’s coats, shoes and Christmas toys to families in attendance. A complimentary meal will also be provided during intermission. Admission is free, and the entire community is invited to participate.
Last year’s celebration attracted more than 400 attendees, with 256 coats and pairs of shoes and approximately 300 Christmas toys distributed to children in the community.
“We look forward to this event every year because it brings together so many wonderful families from throughout the Ohio Valley,” said Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of the Sycamore Youth Center. “There is something truly special about seeing children enjoying Christmas music, families spending time together, and our community coming together to share the joy of the Christmas season. We want every child to know that they are loved and valued, especially during this special time of year.”
The evening’s Christmas concert will provide an opportunity for families to enjoy holiday entertainment in the historic sanctuary of the Sycamore Youth Center, which has served as a gathering place for generations of Steubenville residents.
Beyond the music and festivities, the celebration reflects the center’s ongoing mission of serving children and families throughout the Ohio Valley.
“Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to put our faith into action by loving and serving our neighbors,” Bauman added. “While the toys, coats and shoes are a blessing to so many families, our greatest hope is that everyone who attends will experience the love of Christ and the true meaning of Christmas.”
The Old-Fashioned Country Christmas celebration is made possible through the generosity of community supporters, donors and volunteers who help the Sycamore Youth Center serve local families throughout the year.
Operated by the nonprofit Ohio Valley Youth Network, the Sycamore Youth Center provides free after-school educational, recreational and enrichment opportunities for hundreds of area children each week, along with food assistance and other family support programs.
Bauman encourages families from throughout Jefferson County and the surrounding Ohio Valley to attend the celebration and invites community members to help spread the word.
“We want this to be a Christmas celebration that the entire community can enjoy,” Bauman said. “Whether families come for the music, the fellowship or the Christmas giveaways, we hope they leave knowing that they are part of a community that truly cares about them.”
Admission, children’s coats and shoes, toys, and food during intermission will all be provided free of charge.