Columbia Presbyterian Church and Hands Across the Street want to make Christmas joyful for local families. Kidz Christmas will be held on Saturday, Dec. 18, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church, 360 Locust St., Columbia.

The event offers a chance for families in need to get Christmas gifts, said Faith Adinolfi. "We've been offering Kidz Christmas for more than five years," she stated, noting that the organizers start preparing for the event in mid-October. "We do it to help meet a need for families that are less fortunate. Our heart is to make sure that the kids in the community have a great Christmas."

Adinolfi is the coordinator of Kidz Jam, which offers lessons about Jesus through music, crafts and activities at the church. Families may contact her to sign up for Kidz Christmas. "I'm asking parents to email me information that I need, which would be the children's name, age and some ideas on gifts we can try to get for them," she stated, adding that parents may also call the church office to sign up. "It is for all ages, and the towns we are reaching are Columbia, Wrightsville and other close towns."

Along with gifts for children through age 18, Kidz Christmas will feature presents for adults as well, so children can shop for their parents. As Adinolfi explained, all gifts will be in a bag and people will have the option to wrap them at the on-site wrapping station. Each child will receive two gifts with the exception of gift cards, which will be offered as a single gift.

Presents are donated by local individuals and businesses, Adinolfi noted, and organizers also accept monetary donations to purchase presents. Breakfast will be served during Kidz Christmas, and Santa will be on hand to greet children.

Adinolfi encouraged anyone in need to participate in Kidz Christmas. "We are here to help in any way we can," she said.

For more information or to sign up for Kidz Christmas, email Adinolfi at kidzjam@columbiahas.org or call 717-684-6271.