Celebrate with us and Peoplestown

There are many ways to celebrate the holidays with Emmaus House and the residents of Peoplestown.

If you would like more information, please contact Emmaus House, and we will send you a brochure with descriptions and ways to help.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving at Home 2023

Emmaus House believes celebrating the holidays together is an important factor in maintaining family ties. With your help, we will help 250 families in need enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. We seek donations of bags filled with the ingredients listed below to make all of their favorite side dishes while Emmaus House provides the turkeys and other items.

Each bag needs the following ingredients:

  • 2 Cans of String Beans (English cut)

  • 2 Cans of Corn

  • 2 Cans of Peas

  • 1 Can of Cranberry Sauce

  • 1 Large Bag of Stuffing

  • 1 Box of Brownie Mix

  • 1 Bag of Rice (1 lb.)

  • 2 Boxes of Cornbread / Muffin Mix

Please place all of the sides for each household into one large reusable canvas bag with handles. Bags may be dropped off from November 13-16, from 9 AM-noon. If you or your organization wishes to drop off items over the weekend, please contact David-Lee Mattison at david-leemattison@emmaushouse.org to arrange a time in advance.

Our actual distribution date for the Thanksgiving at Home program will be Tuesday, November 21, 2023, from 9 AM-2 PM.

Christmas

Christmas at Emmaus House 2023

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The holiday season has always been a special time at Emmaus House. For decades, parishes, friends, and organizations have donated Christmas gifts for more than 500 children in Peoplestown each year. This year we are asking individuals, churches, and organizations to provide gifts as they have in the past and refer to the holiday guide for information about events, volunteer opportunities, and gift suggestions. We prefer to receive presents that are unwrapped so that we may easily organize and distribute them to the community by age and gender. We welcome deliveries from December 11-21. Gifts will be distributed to families at our Christmas Festival on Saturday, December 23, 2023 from 9 AM-12 PM. This morning of fun includes treats for the kids, Christmas movies, and storytelling!

If you have any questions, please contact Rakia Reeves at rakiareeves@emmaushouse.org.

Christmas Events

Grand Parents Party

December 7th from 6 PM-8 PM

Grandparents in Peoplestown are often guardians of family members. Raising a second or third family is the definition of “It takes a village to raise a child”. This is done without much help or very many “thank you's”. You can help Emmaus House recognize these grandparents for keeping our neighborhood vital by caring for our children and by donating the items below for our festive Grandparents’ Party.

After a wonderful meal and entertainment, each of the 100 attending the Grandparents’ Party receives a basket or gift card. The highlight of this festive evening is the gift basket raffle.

How you can help:

  • Donate $10 gift cards.

  • Donate gift baskets.

  • Donate new raffle items: hat/scarf/glove sets, towel sets, small appliances, jackets (sm-4x), and dish sets.

555 Seniors of Peoplestown Luncheon

December 12th from 11 AM-1 PM

The Peoplestown 555 Information Champions is a group of seniors continuing the activism started 50 years ago at Emmaus House. Forty seniors participate in the Peoplestown 555 Information Champions all year. At their annual Christmas luncheon, our seniors sing carols, and each person receives a gift card delivered by Santa Lou!

How you can help:

  • Contribute to the 2023 Holiday fund.

  • Donate $25 Walmart or Kroger gift cards. Please specify: for the Peoplestown 555 Information Champions.

Children’s Christmas Festival

December 23rd from 9 AM-12 PM

Santa and Mrs. Claus give presents to children between 9:00 AM and 12 PM on December 23. Children, parents, and volunteers will enjoy a storyteller, magician, Christmas movies, and treats.

See our holiday guide for a list of gift ideas.
Hint: we always run out of gifts for the older children.

  • Gifts should be delivered December 11th - 21st.

  • If you need to deliver before that date, call Rakia Reeves for an appointment at 404-723-1886.

Contact

For more information or if you would like to volunteer, contact Rakia Reeves at rakiareeves@emmaushouse.org or 404-525-5948, ext. 31.