Kicks For Kids to deliver another memorable holiday for at-risk kids

Kicks For Kids, a Covington-based nonprofit that aims to “level the playing field for local children at risk,” is prepping for its Annual Christmas Celebration. The event merges giving and receiving and enables children to take a break from the everyday stress of life.
 
“It lets them know that, despite everything, life can be good. There can be joy, and there can be hope,” says Christine Sebastian, Kicks For Kids program director. “A lot of the kids are homeless—maybe one parent’s in jail; maybe they’re in foster care—it gives them some sense of feeling loved.”
 
After joining a chaperone to engage in a community service project—everything from making cards for children spending their holiday season in Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to preparing a meal for the elderly—more than 50 youth from Greater Cincinnati join together at Paul Brown Stadium for the celebration.
 
“It’s all decorated, their chaperones are waiting, they get paired up and have dinner, the Christmas story is read, and they go down to the Bengals locker room and tour that,” Sebastian says.
 
But the real fun begins when the children enter the visitors’ locker room to find their names on a locker filled with things like school supplies, a new winter coat, a personalized Bengals jersey and a football.
 
“Then they get to run out on the field and the Ben-Gals are there, waving their pompoms, and they run through it and down the field,” Sebastian says. “They go up and meet Santa, who calls them by name and talks to them, then brings out their presents—Bengals players help,” Sebastian says.
 
In addition to receiving, students have the opportunity to go to Santa’s workshop, where they pick out presents for their family members.
 
“A lot of letters they write to Santa—they’ll ask for something for their sister or brother or mother—one little girl asked for a bathrobe for her grandmother because she was sick,” Sebastian says. “It makes them feel good they’re able to give something.” 

Do Good:

•    Support Kicks For Kids by donating.

•    Contact Christine if you'd like to help make the event possible. Volunteer chaperones, shoppers, and gift wrappers are needed.

•    Connect with Kicks For Kids on Facebook.