LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — Behind the doors of the Wise Owl Scholar Academy in Lafayette, the building is packed with gifts, decorations and Christmas cheer as the Wisdom Inspired Scholar Education Foundation prepares for its annual holiday celebration.

Dr. Dolores Cormier-Zenon, CEO of the foundation, says the goal is to bring hope and fellowship to some of the community’s most vulnerable.

“What we’re doing is actually reaching out to children who are traumatized, abused, homeless, adopted, or in foster care,” she said. “We’re also reaching out to the elderly, 65 and older, to come and play bingo and enjoy a fellowship hour of Christmas experience.”

The event will bring families together with tree decorating, food, and holiday music; creating a winter wonderland of hope and inclusion.

“They’ll be decorating trees, listening to Christmas music, eating, and having all that fun we used to have with our families,” Zenon said. “Every child will receive a toy after they’ve experienced the meaning of Christmas.”

Beyond the festivities, the foundation is providing essential community resources, including a food bank that’s completely free to participants.

“We partner with a number of people in the community, from funeral homes to grocery stores to fast food places to whoever wants to come on board,” Zenon said.

Now in its third year, the event continues to grow through donations, Amazon partnerships, and the help of volunteers whom the group affectionately calls “elves.”

This year’s celebration will take place at Brown Park in Lafayette on Dec. 9 from 6-8:30 p.m.
For more information or to register, visit Believe in the Magic of the Season – RSVP or Eventbrite.

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