Congressman Lynn Westmoreland, Senator Ronnie Chance, Senator Mitch Seabaugh as well as Fayette County's four State Representatives,  three Fayette County Mayors and other well known members of the community are joining together to support Christian City's ministry to abandoned and abused children this Christmas by hosting a "Char-ity" Event at the Hollingsworth House in Fayetteville. All proceeds will help the children who live in the cottages at Christian City to have a wonderful holiday season and will help buffer the many other operational costs The Children's Village faces this winter.

Over 20 local artisans including Vicki Turner, Patsy Gullet, Miles Davis and Cressida Chance have painted unique and beautiful chairs which will be auctioned off in a silent auction. The owners of the Hollingsworth House, Craig and Belinda Fitch, are inviting guests and the general public to drop in on Monday, Dec. 1 from 5-7:30 p.m. to support this very worthy cause. The event is volunteer driven and is being sponsored by over 50 local businesses including Truett Cathy and Chick-fil-A, Greystone Power, Metro Catering, AT&T, Georgia Power and  BB&T Reece Insurance to name a few. Tickets are $20 each and due to popular demand must be purchased in advance by calling Lauren at 770-964-3309.

Christian City’s President and CEO Bob Crutchfield spoke with gratitude when discussing the event.

“I am blown away by the efforts of the Hollingsworth House owners, Craig and Belinda Fitch, and all the hosts, volunteers and artists and the sponsors,” said Crutchfield. “It is amazing how many people have come together and how hard they have worked to make this a special event. There is no way we could provide for our children during the holidays if it weren’t for the generosity of the community. We are forever grateful”.

Located in Union City, Christian City cares for children who come to them both by private placement and from the Department of Family and Children Services. With a focus on family, education and healing, Christian City is well known and respected throughout Georgia as providing a program of excellence. Social workers, house parents and psychologists work together to minister to children who are dealing with life crisis, such as the death of a parent, divorce, or sexual, physical, and emotional abuse issues. Christian City’s program allows children from every background to have access to a traditional family environment and support systems to help mend their wounded spirits. For many, Christian City will be the only home some children ever know.

The Home for Children is now comprised of eight cottages each with a full time house parent who provide a nurturing family environment complete with sit down dinners, household responsibilities and traditions that create a sense of belonging. Each child is given a warm bed, clean clothes, a good education and all the essential elements needed to help them grow up to become successful adults. With the goal of reuniting the children with their families, Christian City provides care regardless of the family’s ability to pay the full cost of care. The funds to provide this care are raised through individuals, civic groups, the faith community, local businesses and from fundraisers like the Hollingsworth House Chair-ity Event.

Many success stories come from Christian City. One example is Sarah, who was dropped off at Christian City after her stepfather was jailed and her mother was unable to care for her. Now she is a successful college student at the Goizueta School of Business at Emory and works part time at a bank.

“I wouldn’t have gone to college at all if it weren’t for Christian City,” said Sarah. “I came to Christian City at the end of my 6th grade…I was twelve. I had been living in an emergency shelter, and had been moved around a lot. I remember it all very well. I was very mean when I first came to Christian City, very angry, and I felt like everything bad that had happened in my life was my fault. Before, when I was living at home, I skipped school a lot, got in fights with other kids and was well on my way to ...a very undesirable lifestyle.”

By the eighth grade, Sarah decided to become a Christian.

“The Christian environment was very important to me and Christian City provided it well. My house parents were close to God, they lived the life and help me to get closer to God. We had a great family life and a strong family connection in our cottage,” Sarah said. “Even if I was mean and hard to get along with, my house parents still loved me. They let me know that no matter what, they were going to keep loving me. It was the positive influence and emphasis on school work and extra activities that has gotten me where I am today. I still go back to Christian City for holidays and Christmas. I will always think of it as “home.”

For more information about Christian City and their programs for children, how to sponsor a child please visit www.christiancity.org. For more information on the Hollingsworth House Chair-ity Event, please access www.chair-ity-event.org.

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