Last year the Little Italy Arkansas Heritage Society and Museum Board approved forming an annual “Christmas in Little Italy” event to return traditions of old to our beloved community and the current Board has approved continuing this event! The inaugural event provided toys and books to over 50 children during a drive through visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Afterwards, the museum made financial donations for holiday meals to area churches and placed non perishable food items in Wye Mountain United Methodist Church’s emergency food box. It was a huge success and fun was had by all!

Join us in planning for the 2nd Annual Christmas in Little Italy. A kickoff planning meeting will be held Thursday, September 2nd from 6:30-7:30pm at the St. Francis Catholic Church pavilion (please wear a mask).

We will:
Review adopted Event Purpose Statement: To share Little Italy traditions with future generations through an annual Christmas event that promotes the museum and our Italian heritage, encourages community engagement and unity and, above all, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
Share lessons learned from last year
Select 2021 Committee Chair, Decorations Lead, Toy/Coat/Donations Drive Lead, Child Reservations and Toy Handout Lead, Caroler Lead, COVID Lead, PR/Marketing Lead, traffic lead, Elf Lead, Santa & Mrs. Claus
Discuss Proposed Date and time: Friday, December 3rd or Saturday, December 4th
Identify volunteers to collect toys, coats and financial donations and solicit drop off locations
Identify volunteers to collect and solicit child reservations (all children and grandchildren from community families with or without a reservation/donation are welcome, but this will help better ensure age appropriate gifts for known participants)
Discuss Christmas tree and decor
Determine the organization that will be the recipient of remaining toys, coats and donations.
Determine new activities to be added for 2021’s event.
Please send questions, comments, suggestions and offers to volunteer to [email protected]. 

Thank you in advance for making the 2021 Christmas in Little Italy a successful event.

Buongiorno!