House of Hope's Chimneys of Hope event spreads holiday cheer

Branson's House of Hope brought holiday cheer to several families recently with their annual Chimneys of Hope program.  

Chimneys of Hope was deemed a tremendous success, with 37 families participating and Christmas gifts provided for 108 area children.

"Christmas can be such a difficult season," explained House of Hope's Alex Sprinkle. "Families experience grief, guilt, financial hardship and the list continues. Out of a desire to rewrite the script for Christmas, Chimneys of Hope was started."

While Chimneys of Hope provides holiday gifts for children in the community, the program does so much more for the families who participate.

"It provides an opportunity for parents to shop through a toy store and select the perfect gift for their children," Sprinkle shared. "The team wraps the toys and labels them for each kid. The hope is that the stress of the holiday season is alleviated, even for a moment."

In addition to assisting parents with their shopping, Chimneys of Hope offers some holiday magic to the children as well.

Said Sprinkle, "The event offers a chance for kids to be kids. This year they decorated Christmas cookies made by a sweet volunteer, created a holiday necklace, played Christmas-themed games and ate plates full of holiday sweets. They got to enjoy all the special parts that create Christmas cheer."

Parents expressed their tremendous gratitude to House of Hope for organizing and hosting the unique holiday event. Likewise, House of Hope was grateful to those who helped make Chimneys of Hope so successful.

"We are so thankful for the generosity of our community," noted Sprinkle. "This year the Branson Landing, the Branson Convention Center, Thunder Ridge and several individual donors provided toys for the event. Volunteers and staff spent nine hours wrapping gifts, complete with bows and labels. Riley's Treasures provided the beautiful space to host the event. It really is an event centered around the community helping the community, and I couldn't be more grateful."