Fifth Annual CWE Community Christmas Dinner

In preparation for our fifth annual Camp War Eagle Community Christmas Dinner the CWE staff expressed the goal of serving our families through this event to volunteers, service organizations and local businesses throughout Northwest Arkansas. The response was tremendous. Area agencies and churches contributed over seventy volunteers who donated their time during this busy season. Included in this volunteer group were some of our summer camp chefs, who took off from their normal jobs to work all day in the Camp War Eagle kitchen preparing a sumptuous feast under the direction of head chef Bear Maddox. Local businesses also responded by generously providing goods, services and funding. The Metroplex provided a beautiful venue with some extra aesthetics making the event sparkle, while Bedford Camera and Video and Tyson Foods supported through helpful donations of needed supplies. But our greatest debt of thanks goes to the Walmart Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation who awarded CWE financial contributions which enabled us to serve our neighbors on this very special night. 

On December 7, 2011 Camp War Eagle welcomed 133 of its families to an evening of holiday fun. The Metroplex in Rogers hosted the gathering of over 580 people who were invited to celebrate the Christmas season with their friends and neighbors. Santa was also in attendance to greet the children and take photos which the families received as a special gift to commemorate the evening.

At their candlelit tables guests were served a traditional turkey dinner by counselors, staff and volunteers and as the program began, reunions of all kinds were joyfully taking place. CWE counselor Jason Polley played some holiday favorites on guitar, welcoming on stage with him campers Hailey Day and Hannah Hawley and fellow counselor Jonathan Chavez. Seven year old Hailey played carols on the piano and Hannah, a Rogers high school student, won the crowd with a song of her own composition on guitar. Mr. Chavez, a vocal performance major at the University of Arkansas, treated the crowd to a brilliant performance of a traditional Hispanic Christmas carol while accompanying himself on guitar. 

After leading the guests in singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," Jason welcomed CWE executive director Sam Torn on stage to share with families his gratitude for their participation in the  CWE program. Mr. Torn also reminded all in attendance to thank God for the gift of Jesus Christ during this season. Finally, the evening ended with special gifts distributed to all the children and then groceries were passed to the families to enhance their tables throughout the month of December.

As students and parents were departing their gratitude was evident. Diane Aday, mother of Amy Aday, said, "I am so thankful for all Camp War Eagle does for me. It makes me feel like I'm not alone as a single parent." And Elizabeth Perez, mother of Estefany Soto, said, "I didn't expect anything this nice. The servers were wonderful and I had such a good time meeting the other family at my table."

Camp War Eagle would like to thank the generosity of our sponsors and volunteers.

The Walton Family Foundation, The Walmart Foundation, The Metroplex Event Center, Tyson Foods, Bedford Camera and Video, Potter’s House, Samaritan House, Cuerpo Vivo, Fellowship Bible Church, At the Table, Plugged In Communities, The Grove Church and Grace Point Church.