Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lorain partnered with North Ridgeville’s Lake Ridge Academy Jan. 6, to celebrate the church’s annual event for it’s 30th year.
At Christ Lutheran, 4501 Clinton Ave. in Lorain, the church began celebrating Three Kings Day together in 1987 and have carried on the tradition since, according to Jackie Stevens, member of the church and coordinator of the Three Kings Celebration. She said the program has partnered with Lake Ridge Academy for many of those years.
This year, Lake Ridge students and members of the church kept the tradition going by inviting families for a holiday dinner provided by Christ Lutheran. After the church provides a free meal to many children and their families, Pastor Laurie Miller told the story of The Three Kings so children can not only understand the meaning of it, but interact with one another and engage in the holiday, Miller said. Every year, she said she likes to be creative and tell the story in a different way. After the story was read, all children were surprised by volunteers dressed up as The Three Kings, while they gave gifts to every child in attendance. Marco Parilla, a volunteer, said this year was his ninth year volunteering for the event as a part of The Three Kings and that it’s a special thing to be part of.
In order to receive gifts, parents of the children in attendance had to call and reserve a spot at the celebration and give a wishlist to the church, said Stevens. This year she said 86 kids signed up. Students of Lake Ridge purchased a gift on each list provided, for children to open at the end of the event.
Every year, all students and staff of the academy participate in the event by making decorations, raising money to shop for food, and clothes. Miller said Lake Ridge funds the entire event.
According to Betsy Glor, teacher of Lake Ridge academy and coordinator with the school for the event, all students in each grade help raise funds for the event. They shop for food gifts and do clothing drives for clothes for the families.
“Its a wonderful event because the kids are reaching out and are so involved doing it.,” she said. “Every student has a different role in this event. Many have been involved since they were young.”
Jessica Shenker of Lorain came with her child and said its her first year but her mother has brought her child in the past. She said this is great event because its one tat helps people who can’t afford gifts possibly during the holidays. She thinks its a great thing that the church provides a meal for them as well.
“I think it’s awesome to show kids what the three kings is about,” she said. “Its another nice thing to do, especially with the dinner and gifts. It’s great to enjoy a meal together. The gifts are just a bonus.”