By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

Wrap up and get festive at the City of Wyoming’s new holiday event, Wrap Up Wyoming!

Hosted by the Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department, Wrap Up Wyoming (WUW) is a free, family-friendly event that will be held Friday, Dec. 1 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Wyoming Senior Center (WSC), 2380 DeHoop Ave SW.

WUW will be the kickoff event to a donation drive that runs throughout the month of December. Attendees are asked to donate new, warm clothing such as hats, gloves, scarves, coats and boots. The collected items will be donated to Wyoming area schools.

Meeting a need through change

“This is a reimagining of Wyoming Gives Back, [with] some of the same elements that were there previously,” said Martin, adding that the most noticeable variation is the giving element.

Previously, donations consisted of toys that were then given to the Salvation Army. Martin said the City is still accepting toy donations internally, with drop-off sites located at all City buildings.

After talking with school partners and other community members, however, a greater need was revealed.

“What a lot of the schools need more than anything are coats, hats and boots for their students,” said Martin. “Things that go well beyond the holidays into the colder months.”

What to expect at WUW

The WUW event will feature musical acts from Godwin Heights High School Percussionists and Wyoming Public Schools Jazz Band, cookie decorating, a hot cocoa station, and several crafts.

Several holiday displays will highlight different holiday traditions reflected in the Wyoming community.

Wyoming Public Safety will be in attendance with their vehicles for a Touch-A-Truck opportunity, and attendees can look forward to a visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus – and live reindeer from GG Reindeer Farm.

“We are going to utilize the whole space,” said Martin of WSC. “Most of the crafts and musical performances will take place inside, but we’ll have a staging area set up outside with the reindeer. It will be a good opportunity for kids and families.”

A community effort

The Parks & Rec Department is working with several local organizations to ensure WUW is a success – and to also provide a unique opportunity for a certain group of community members.

Empower U, a Kent ISD program for individuals with special needs who have aged out of the K-12 system, provides specialized instruction, employment opportunities and independent living skills.

“They have been coming and doing some volunteer work at the senior center, providing them with job training,” said Martin. “After the event, they are going to come and go through all of the warm items and sort things for us so they are ready for us to take out to the schools.”

Let the festivities begin!

WUW is open to everyone to attend, so come join in the spirit of giving and fun festivities.

If you are unable to attend but would still like to donate, WUW donation bins are available at City Hall now through the month of December.

“This event is a wonderful way to ring in the holiday season and spend quality time with friends and family,” said Martin. “It’s the perfect opportunity to talk to your little ones about the importance of lending a hand and giving back to your community.

“We hope to create a fresh, even newer holiday tradition for everyone in Wyoming.”

For more information about Wrap Up Wyoming, please contact the City of Wyoming Parks & Recreation team at 616-530-3164, parks_info@wyomingmi.gov or www.wyomingmi.gov.