Tom Bellamy, Winter Garden, Fla.
Christmas cheer for those in need
Like many others, Tom Bellamy feels especially grateful for his family and blessings during the holiday season. Recognizing this, he wanted to give back to those in his community who were less fortunate.
Tom and his family decided to host a Christmas party for Central Florida residents who would be by themselves for Christmas and probably wouldn’t have celebrated the holiday at all.
They invited a group of local people in need into their home on Dec. 12, 2009, and served them a festive lunch from a local BBQ restaurant. To help celebrate the season, they created three games in which party goers had the opportunity to win prizes – Bingo, a Christmas word search puzzle and Wii bowling. Prizes ranged from gift cards to iPod shuffles, candles, wallets with money and much more. Tom, who dressed up as Santa Claus at the beginning of the party, also gave party goers several presents to open on Christmas Day.
The Bellamy family enjoys the festive gathering so much that it’s become an annual tradition.
“My wife and I receive far more of a blessing than the people who attend,” said Tom. “We have had people cry and tell us that without us, they would have no Christmas at all. I can truly say that this party is something I look forward to all year.”