‘Miracle’ Just In Time For Christmas

Lily Agnacian, 12, right, secures wrapping paper with a piece of tape Monday while wrapping presents alongside her mom, Jody Agnacian, left, during the fourth annual Miracle on 14th Street event at First Christian Church in Bentonville. The event provided free winter coats, toys, gift wrapping and a hot meal on a first come, first served basis. Last year, event organizers saw about 1,500 attendees and expected the same numbers this year.
Lily Agnacian, 12, right, secures wrapping paper with a piece of tape Monday while wrapping presents alongside her mom, Jody Agnacian, left, during the fourth annual Miracle on 14th Street event at First Christian Church in Bentonville. The event provided free winter coats, toys, gift wrapping and a hot meal on a first come, first served basis. Last year, event organizers saw about 1,500 attendees and expected the same numbers this year.

— The sanctuary of First Christian Church was filled with parents and children on Christmas Eve waiting for their own “miracle.”

The church hosted its fourth Miracle on 14th Street on Monday, giving families who might otherwise go without a Christmas one this holiday season.

Hundreds of families sat on the pews, watching the movie “Prancer” on a big screen as they waited for their turn to pick out gifts and eat a holiday meal. Peggy Hicks, ministry coordinator for the church, said the event drew between 1,200 and 1,400 people.

At A Glance

Christmas Meals Today

Central United Methodist, Rogers — 2535 W. New Hope Road, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

B&B Fund Drive, Bentonville — Church of Christ Activity Center, 904 N. Walton Blvd., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Source: Staff Report

Hicks said that number has grown since the first Miracle on 14th Street started four years ago at the suggestion of a church member who wanted to serve Christmas dinner to the community. That first event, with just two weeks of planning, grew to include a coat giveaway and toy drive.

This year’s miracle started at 8 a.m. with scores of volunteers showing up to wrap gifts, serve dinner and escort families. Arriving families were given a number and shown to the sanctuary. When it was their turn, a volunteer took the children to a child care area while their family “shopped” for toys and coats. Once the presents were wrapped, they were reunited and feasted on a traditional Christmas meal.

“I work in outreach, so I see the need every day,” Hicks said. “We have people coming through here that truly have nothing.”

The effort requires between 200 and 250 volunteers to run smoothly, Hicks said. Some of the volunteers come from within the church, while others are community members who want to help. The church’s website encourages the community to “Join us in being the miracle!”

Scott Pierce of Bentonville was in his third year of being that miracle on Monday as he wandered around tables, refilling drinks and making sure diners had all they needed. He attends First Christian Church and wanted to give back with his family.

“We knew there was a need here,” Pierce said. “Our family feels grateful for all that we have and we wanted to serve others. It’s heartbreaking to see families without a Christmas. It opens my eyes up and makes me more grateful.”

The toy room was loaded with new toys donated by Walmart vendors. The coat room was equally crowded, though Hicks said the stock was finally thinning. Most of the coats were donated by church members, and several local schools donated their “lost and found” piles to the church at the end of the semester.

First Christian Church continued to the spirit of giving after the last plate was served and last present wrapped. All leftover food was taken to local charities like soup kitchens or Havenwood, Hicks said.

“We want to make sure nothing goes to waste,” she said.

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