Meet Me at the Court issued a reminder that its annual Christmas on the Court program is set for noon today at New Olive Branch Baptist Church, 1548 N. Roselawn, and the program is open only to current residents of the Fordville neighborhood.
For the past two years, MMC, a nonprofit community service organization, has "adopted" an area in the city to host Christmas on the Court, during which the group and Santa distribute Christmas gifts, including food and toys, to neighborhood residents.
In 2021, the group "adopted" Hudson Place Apartments and Hillsboro Town House Apartments followed in 2022.
Veronica Bailey, president and CEO of Meet Me at the Court, said the event may kick off a little earlier than noon today, noting that the start time will be determined by the number of attendees who arrive at the church.
"Depending on how long the line is, we may begin earlier if necessary because I don't want people standing on their feet too long. I want to make it as comfortable for people as I can," said Bailey.
Volunteers will be handing out turkeys, hams, rotisserie chickens, fresh whole chickens, canned goods and fresh vegetables (turnip and collard greens, cabbage, onions, bell peppers and sweet potatoes) to attendees.
The canned goods will be distributed as part of MMC youths' monthly mission project.
Toys and bicycles will also be handed out to children. Santa will also make an appearance to hand out gifts.
Bailey noted the bicycles were donated to MMC and volunteers received loads of attention as they wheeled several bicycles out of Walmart Supercenter at 10 p.m. Thursday.
Bailey said several of the bicycles were donated to MMC for the Angel Tree giveaway.
If any of items are left over from Christmas on the Court, MMC will head to other neighborhoods in the city to distribute the excess items, said Bailey.
She said MMC is still delivering gifts as part of Sharion's Angel Tree project.
Between Nov. 7 and Dec. 7, recipients submitted 181 names for the 2023 Angel Tree and MMC began delivering gifts Wednesday.
She said some gifts may not be delivered by Christmas Day, noting that last year MMC continued Angel Tree deliveries well past Christmas Day.
Bailey added that Angel Tree recipients have been notified that they may not receive their gifts -- clothes, toys, bags of groceries, grocery-store gift cards and gift cards to a local sporting goods store for athletic apparel and footwear and utility-bill payments -- until after Christmas Day.
Angel Tree gifts are also being mailed out to recipients.
Also on Wednesday, MMC youth members delivered 220 canned goods to the Salvation Army of El Dorado's food pantry.
The donation was the latest in series of such donations the group has made to the Salvation Army since the fall of 2022 as part of their monthly mission projects.
Earlier this year, the group surpassed a goal to donate 1,000 canned goods to the Salvation Army in 2023.
Bailey said she did not yet have a year-end tally.
MMC also started its second annual Secret Santa giveaway on Wednesday.
Over the course of several days, MMC members randomly approach people, identify themselves and offer a gift.
Last year, MMC paid for groceries and gasoline, offered cash gifts, tipped servers at local restaurants and made donations to local churches around town.
So far this year, MMC has "blessed" a sacker at MAC's Fresh Market who always assists with the youth's canned food donations; a woman with a full tank of gasoline; and a Louisiana couple with breakfast at a local diner.
Bailey said the donations are made possible by support from the community, the El Dorado Chapter of the Sugar Town Riders Motorcycle Club and The Bailey Family.
For more information about MMC, call Bailey at 870-310-0391.