It seems like just yesterday we were taking down the Christmas tree, returning gifts and making our New Years resolutions. Well its that time again with only a month or two until its Christmas time again and if you need a something to get you into the holiday spirit, let us introduce you to Christmas for Kids, a super organization whos sole purpose is to ensure that local children experience a wonderful Christmas.

While for most children Christmas is a happy time there are children in our area that its not such a happy time for. That is where Christmas For Kids comes in. Christmas For Kids consists of an annual concert as well as their two-day event in December that is a result of a year of fund raising by the organization.

It kicks off this year with The Charlie Daniels & Christmas For Kids benefit concert that will be held November 20th at The Ryman. Tickets are on sale now for just $30 each at Ticket Master or $60 for Golden Circle tickets. This years concert features performances by Phil Vassar, Joe Nichols, Daryle Singletary, Craig Morgan, Sawyer Brown and of course The Charlie Daniels Band. To purchase gold circle tickets contact Debbie Lamberson at 615-453-2343.

Then on Monday December 18th, everyone is invited to come out to the Wal-Mart in Hendersonville for the bus show. For only $2 per person you can tour the stars tour buses and you never know whom you are going to see on the buses. Already signed up for this year are 2006 Nashville Star winner Chris Young, Karen Keeley, Shane & Blane and Jessica Hawthorn.

There are approximately 50 tour buses that will be on display, weather permitting, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The concert and bus show all lead to a very special day for the children and chaperones and volunteers involved when the following day, Tuesday December 19th, all of the tour buses are loaded with chaperones and taken to various schools in the area. They pick up children nominated by their principals and then proceed on to First Baptist Church in Hendersonville where they get their pictures taken with Santa and enjoy lunch provided by Garth Brooks.

After lunch the children are loaded back onto their buses and the buses caravan to Hendersonville. They participate in a bus parade down Main Street to the Wal-Mart Super Center. Each child is assigned an adult chaperone to shop with. The children each receive $150 each to spend on anything they want. This truly is a wonderful thing and speaking from experience after you volunteer one time you are hooked and will volunteer year after year!!

If you would like to volunteer to be a chaperone or want to learn more about Christmas For Kids please visit their website at www.christmas4kids.org

Article Written & Submitted by Nora Mayor