Green Street is known throughout our community for its vibrancy, culture, and history. However, what many don’t realize is that every year during the holidays, this same little street brings our community together for one night only, for a good time and a good cause, through an event we call, Christmas on Green. Although the businesses on Green Street may be small, the hearts of their owners are large, because the origin of this festive block party is rooted in the spirit of giving.
Georgia native, Ruth Carter said, “Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.” Bangles II Hair & Makeup Lounge owner, Kelli Scarboro, had this same ideology when she founded Christmas on Green in 2017. Its purpose was to spread Christmas Cheer in the hearts of our locals by throwing an event that would also raise money for some of those who need it most, Shriners Hospital for Children.
The following year in 2018, fellow business owner, Shaye Davis with Green Street small business, Gifts Galore Monogramming and More, joined in as a host and sponsor for the event. After a second successful year of Christmas on Green, COVID put a halt on the planning and festivities for 2019 and 2020, but thankfully the fun was back and bigger than ever in 2021 and with it brought a new business sponsor, Green Street neighbor and owner of Stewart’s Jewelers, Sallie McNeely.
“Our goal through this event, is to give back to those in need by bringing families together to join in on the fun with a joyful heart and a Christmas spirit.” Davis explained.
On November 18, the fourth annual Christmas on Green was held and what originally started as a small event on a side street in Downtown Swainsboro was now larger than ever. This year, Kim Dortch with Harvey’s Supermarket, added to the brilliant team of hosts. Her expertise brought in many volunteers from Harvey’s, as well as a phenomenal number of corporate sponsorships, including Nature’s Own, Nabisco, Frito Lay, Canada Dry, and Coca-Cola, in addition to this, Harvey’s also supplied all the food for the night, from hamburgers and hotdogs to chips, cookies and drinks.
Apart from these supportive company’s, many of our small-town businesses and friends also contributed their goods and services, adding an even larger sense of community to this wholesome event. They are, Gifts Galore, Bangles II Hair & Makeup Lounge, Stewarts Jewelers, All the Fixens, Leanna’s, Slide Time and More, Don’t Blink Photography, Bostonfirst Administrative Management Services, Bostonfirst Events, Wayback Outfitters, Haleigh B’s, Berni’s on West Main, Pruitt Health, Pruitt Health Hospice, Smile Doctors of Vidalia Orthodontics, Emanuel Arts Council, Chapman Funeral Home, Fanci Peach Boutique, New Generation Nutrition, DJ Johnny Mills, and of course the stars of the night, Allen Farley who played Santa Claus, Gage Hall who was the Grinch, and Jacob Chalker who was Buddy the Elf.
"Here we are in 2022 with happy hearts.” Davis began to explain with a smile, “Our event has grown from three individual small business owners to several community volunteers, along with other small businesses and several corporate sponsors. We are so happy to host this event and even more ecstatic how much it has grown!”
From line-dancing with the Grinch to taking photos with Santa, to making ornaments for Emanuel Art Council’s Christmas tree. 2022’s Christmas on Green will always be remembered as a night of fun for the people of Swainsboro but for the Children of Shriners Hospital, it means so much more, as all proceeds obtained from the event were donated to them.
“We would like to give a great big shout out and thank you to all the business for coming together and making such an impact in our little town. This is what the Christmas spirit is all about.” Davis said in conclusion.
“Christmas doesn’t come from a store, perhaps maybe, Christmas means a bit more.” – The Grinch
