Christmas Coming Early To Short Pump Town Center

Who says the Christmas spirit can’t be spread even in the summer? The non-profit band Offering, Lite 98 FM and Short Pump Town Center are hosting a “Christmas in July” event to raise money for the Central Virginia Foodbank on July 25. According to Misty Parsons, director of marketing for Short Pump Town Center, times […]

July 23, 2009; 12:47 AM • by Natalie Allen

Who says the Christmas spirit can’t be spread even in the summer? The non-profit band Offering, Lite 98 FM and Short Pump Town Center are hosting a “Christmas in July” event to raise money for the Central Virginia Foodbank on July 25. According to Misty Parsons, director of marketing for Short Pump Town Center, times are not only tough in the winter.

“People always think the holiday season is when need is high, but summer is a high-need time as well,” Parsons said.

The “Christmas in July” program idea was brought to Short Pump Town Center by Offering after the Richmond Braves moved to Georgia following the 2008 season. (The event had been held at The Diamond each of the past three years.)

Jeanine Guidry, lead singer of Offering, hopes the event’s fourth year will be its best yet.

“Our goal is to get together as much food as possible,” Guidry said. “Donations at the food bank go down pretty dramatically in the summer time; this year especially has been hard.”

Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items such as peanut butter and canned tuna. For each can of food donated, a guest receives a raffle ticket and has the opportunity to win prizes.

Among the attractions of the “Christmas in July” program are raffles, free food samples, live Christmas music by eight different bands, games for kids, holiday children’s characters and even an appearance by Santa. The event will start at 10 a.m. and will end at 9 p.m.

“We want to combine a fun community event and put a spin on it with charitable giving,” Guidry said.

There will be an encore of the “Christmas in July” event on Sunday July 26, at The Positive Vibe Café, where donations of food and money will also be accepted.

July 23, 2009 12:47 AM 0