The Great Christmas Sweater Gala was a fun-time fundraiser

We attend many, many meetings. We attend far fewer Christmas parties. Yet... we couldn’t resist supporting Kids for Life and their recent fundraiser, “The Great Christmas Sweater Gala.” Promoted was “Dress Tacky, Give Generously, Celebrate Kids for Life.” What’s not to love about a chance to dress tacky and support a good cause?
Kids for Life IS the support organization for all things related to foster care in Marion County. Currently, there are 48 children in foster care here, although there are only 12 licensed homes in the county.
For their event, the organization redesigned the basketball court in the gym of the E.T. Sims Jr. Neighborhood Facilities Building into a winter wonderland. As you walked in, you could see tables filled with toys--a gift market for those wanting to do some holiday shopping. The prices couldn’t be beat! There was also a silent auction, with even more great deals on gifts for others or even yourself.
 And we’ve hardly ever seen such a spread of food! From nearly one side of the room to another, tables were joined together and filled with all types of culinary delights. There were additional tables holding a soup bar containing four different kinds of soups, plus all the extras you could ever imagine adding to them.
Other tables held yummy baked goods for a bake sale. Two different stations were set up for drinks, with a speciality soda section featuring mocktails, with names like “Grinch” and other dirty sodas (soda, coffee creamer and flavored syrups). Another table held a hot chocolate bar with an extensive selection of hot chocolate offerings and additives.
There was continuous live holiday music from gifted local musicians playing all your favorites, making the event even more joyful, cheerful and merry.
Also on the agenda, an ugly sweater contest...   The gala was a wonderfully festive, friendly atmosphere, made even more special by seeing people you know--and a few you were happy to meet--dressed in their best ugly sweaters! You couldn’t help laughing each time you walked up to greet someone. (Charla Watson was the winner! We heard later a staff member got at least one vote.) It was a funny, fun fundraiser.
We asked Kids for Life Director Melissa Mathieson--who is also the founder of the organization, a foster parent and a local child advocate, along with her husband, David--if there’d be another gala next year. We were so excited to hear, “Yes!” We definitely hope to see everyone there. This is a great cause, and a great chance to support a local organization, as well as have a fun night out and wear proudly that sweater you’ve had for 25 years that you’re too embarrassed to wear anywhere else.
Melissa noted, “We’re so grateful to the community for their support over the last year, and we look foward to having many more opportunities for the community to get involved in what Kids for Life is doing in helping children in foster care.
“We definitely already have ideas to do another gala next year, and we’ll make sure the community is more aware of it ahead of time. This has been a great year for Kids for Life, and we’re looking forward to next year.
“We’d also like to thank all of our sponsors for the Great Christmas Sweater Gala, including Walmart Hamilton Store #1100, The Chocolate Dog, Little Spoon Bakery, Farm Valley Co., Lemmie’s x Local’s, Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce, House of Plenty, Sports Gallery and Tra’s Treats.”
For those who didn’t get to attend the gala, but want to show their support of the organization, donation checks can be mailed to Kids for Life, P.O. Box 1401, Hamilton, AL 35570.
Community Thrift is also part of the Kids for Life non-profit, Melissa noted. So, if people want to donate items there or shop there--all of the proceeds from Community Thrift go to support Kids for Life, as well. The store is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8 a.m to  5 p.m. and is located at 481 Military Street South in Hamilton, next to Shopper’s Value. The phone number is 205-921-4113.
Restoration Family Services is also part of the Kids for Life organization. Office hours for both are Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the phone number is 205-430-2674. Kids for Life is also on Facebook at Kids for LifeAL. The facility is located on the corner of James Crump Memorial Drive and Second Avenue Southwest.
Among the services offered are supervised visitations for children in foster care, so the children can visit with their birth parents. Kids for Life also provides birthday gifts and Christmas gifts for children in foster care.
“We provide anything the children need when they come into care,” she noted. “That includes clothing and beds. We pretty much meet all the physical and practical needs for children in foster care and children at risk in the community.”
Melissa also heads up the Marion County Foster Parent Association, so anyone interested in becoming a foster parent can contact her at Kids for Life for more information.