Bartlett Center celebrates the holiday season with annual community party

By Jazmine Knight

The Bartlett Center invited the community to celebrate its annual holiday party on Friday evening. 

“It’s a time every year where we open up the doors to the people in the community,” said LaTonya Williams, executive director. “Anyone’s able to come a just party with us.”

At this year’s Polar Express themed celebration, guests were encouraged to wear their favorite holiday pajamas. The party featured a bouncy house, games, cookie decorating and more. 

“The food is as if you’re on the Polar Express,” Williams said. 

The holiday party also had a special Polar Express “ride” for children to enjoy. At the end of the party each child also received a present and pictures with Santa’s cousin.

Emmy Cook, first time attendee, says the holiday party was pretty fun.

“I like seeing the kids happy and smiling,” Cook said. 

His favorite activities included inflatable bowling and drinking hot chocolate.

While some kids from the Bartlett Center were in attendance, Williams says most attendees are not even enrolled in the program. This event gives the community an opportunity to see the facility and learn about the building. 

“It’s good to get everybody into our doors to be able to look at the facility and the employees,” she said.  

For Williams, her favorite part is being able to dress down in her pajamas and seeing all the families have a great time. 

“It’s a lot of work and it’s at the end of a long work week, but being able to look at the kids have lots of fun and the experience as well. It’s worth it.”

Williams give a big thanks to the community for their generous donation throughout the year. She says if it weren’t for the community, this wouldn’t be possible.