movie night for u can academy

this afternoon our church partnered with the friends of north richmond's attack poverty (attack poverty is an organization that try to empower people to attack poverty in their life & community. they want to help strengthen under-resourced communities through spiritual growth, education, revitalization & basic needs) to host a movie night for their u can academy kids. it was a 2 part party for about 125 elementary kiddos & it was AWESOME! our goal was that each child had a great time and feels loved & special. we signed up to help the party & we were assigned to part 1 of the party so we arrived at north richmond neighborhood resource center at about noon to set it up to look like the coolest hollywood party ever! we spent 2 hours decorating the outside & inside with balloons, gold stars, confetti, goodie bags, star sunglasses, gold fringes curtains to walk through & even a red carpet for the kids to walk.. it looked spectacular!!!

the kids arrived at 2 & it was so wonderful to see their eyes light up when they saw all of us waiting for them. when they arrived at the red carpet we had people interviewing them about their favorite colors, movies, princesses, super heroes. then when they were walking the red carpet there were people lined up all the way down both sides clapping, cheering, high-fifing & snapping pictures... just like the paparazzi. 

then when they made it through the door we had 34 hot pizzas & a snack bar waiting for them. then when they got to their tables their was vip badges, crafts, sunglasses, body bling (girls) & tattoos (boys) for them to have. 

then when they finished eating their was a HUGE surprise waiting for the kids... elsa & anna from frozen, merida from brave & spiderman!!! they all got to have their pictures taken with them, they got to have a dance party with them & at the very end elsa & anna told a story & everybody got to sing with them... it was so magical. i don't think there was an adult there that didn't have a tear in their eye seeing all the children overwhelmed with happiness & pure joy!

after that it was time to wrap it up so part of their party could begin. so on their way out the door they got a big box of candy & loaded into 3 buses our church provided to go to the amazing palladium theatre to see the movie big hero 6!

 when they got to the palladium there was another red carper for them to walk with more paparazzi! our church rented out a whole theatre so the kids could have it all to themselves & the movie started whenever they were ready... how cool is that?!?!?! they also got popcorn & icees to enjoy the movie even more!

seeing all those kiddo's smiles & excitement made out hearts so full. we're so thankful to be part of a church that loves on our community & takes us along for the ride! so please be a good neighbor & help break the cycle of generational poverty. if you'd like to learn more about attack poverty please click here!