Free holiday movie matinee empowers Newcastle
This year, Newcastle’s Farmers Insurance agent, Michael Freeman and the Newcastle Area Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to provide a free holiday movie matinee for children.
“The idea is that you wear your pajamas and enjoy a free family Christmas movie, “The Grinch” — a matinee with a raffle and prizes for the kiddos, along with free hot cocoa, candy canes and cookies will be provided. The event will be at the Newcastle Lodge and Convention Center on Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. Every child that shows up to the movie will receive a special coupon that their family can use at any of the local businesses that are participating in the event,” Chamber of Commerce Director Jennifer Proffer said.
Freeman’s and Proffer’s goal, they said, is to bring alive Newcastle’s marvelous traditions and guide families together to have some fun and support local businesses.
“They used to host the coolest things in Newcastle, that they don’t do anymore. Michael Freeman came into my office with the idea for a Christmas movie matinee because he wants to see those things come back,” Proffer said. “Instead of putting money into advertising people can’t use, families can shop local and enjoy a free holiday movie.”
“We started the financing of this event here at Farmers Insurance. I had a conversation with a real exceptional lady at the chamber of commerce, Jennifer Proffer, and she thought it was a wonderful idea and really got the ball rolling. We’re hoping this event inspires other local businesses to promote Newcastle, its local
businesses, and to bring more business here as well,” Freeman said.
According to Proffer, the event gives parents the opportunity to shop in local stores with some sweet discounts and get some holiday shopping done as the kids get into the Christmas spirit. It’s a win-win situation because the community benefits, as well as the small local businesses, she said.
“Online shopping is becoming such a huge deal nowadays and really has hurt small, local businesses. We’re so far away from everything in Newcastle that if we want things available to us, we need to support them. By encouraging people to shop local and putting money back into the community, we can learn to be more self-sufficient,” Proffer said.
People are encouraged to make reservations for the holiday movie.
Free holiday shopping event
Free Christmas shopping will be available for children of all ages at the Weston County Senior Services Center in Newcastle on Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Newcastle resident Jewel Parrish took over as the Director of this year’s Christmas shopping charity event, which was formerly hosted by the First United Methodist Church.
“It’s about teaching the kids the gift of giving without putting the financial burden on the family — letting kids be able to give to their families without adding a lot to the budget” Parrish said.
According to Parrish, kids are welcome to select gifts for their caretakers and immediate family. New and used items are donated by local businesses and community organizers, and donations are even being contributed from other parts of Wyoming.
“The kids get to come and we have a little area for families to sit, relax and have coffee. We have a Christmas elf come and guide the kids into different rooms where a variety of gifts are located,” Parrish said.
A wrapping station with professional wrappers dedicated to wrapping all of the gifts will be available and then the kids get to take these gifts home and share them with their families.
Parrish reported that donations will be accepted all the way up until the day of the event, on December 14th. Donation requirements include new or gently used women’s and men’s items. The donations may be dropped off at the Weston County Senior Center anytime during business hours or individuals may contact Jewel Parrish directly and she will help set up a scheduled pickup time.
Those interested in donating or volunteering for the event can contact Parrish at (406) 521-0500.