Downtown Wake Forest will host the 4th annual Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kickoff on Saturday, November 16, from 12 to 4 p.m. Last year, the event drew around 3,500 attendees and raised thousands of dollars for those in need. A similar turnout is expected to fill Downtown this year.
In 2020, the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners initiated this event with a goal to engage the public while supporting community initiatives. Organizers hope that participants will enjoy the festivities and then stay to support local downtown businesses.
"We're fortunate to live in a community where people want to give back," said Wake Forest Downtown Director Jennifer Herbert.
Herbert notes that these types of events encourage people to come and make a day of it, and the feedback from merchants last year was overwhelmingly positive — some calling it one of their best Saturdays of the year.
Highlights of the event include a community performance stage with local groups performing throughout the afternoon, roaming performers, food trucks, and winter-themed games like Snow Axe Throwing, Zap-A-Penguin, and Curling.
The event will also feature the Carolina Hurricanes’ Storm Tour and Slapshot Booth. The Storm Tour is a 28-foot mobile fan experience, complete with interactive Canes exhibits showcasing the Hurricanes’ history and photo opportunities. The Slapshot Booth offers participants a chance to score on a cutout of Hurricanes’ Hall of Famer Cam Ward. Beloved mascot Stormy will also make a brief appearance at the start of the festivities.
The Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-Off marks the start of the Wake Forest Cares Holiday Donation Drive.
"This is a great way to help those in need and support local businesses at the same time," said Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business and Industry Partnership. "We welcome the opportunity this event provides to usher in the holiday giving season and showcase our historic and ever-evolving Downtown district during the most wonderful time of the year."
"This is the time to give generously," said Mayor Vivian Jones. "While our Town has been blessed with growth and prosperity, we ask our residents who are able to contribute to those working hard to provide for their families in the Wake Forest community."
Community members are invited to support one or more of the following Town initiatives:
Helping Others by Providing Electricity (HOPE)
H.O.P.E. is an initiative facilitated by the Town of Wake Forest designed to help financially disadvantaged electric customers pay their utility bills. The program is funded by the generous donations of Wake Forest Power customers and administered through a partnership between the Town and ChurchNet, a local nonprofit organization assisting people in need in the area.
Northern Community Food Security Team
The Wake Forest Board of Commissioners tasked the Northern Community Food Security Team (NCFST) with engaging community members, food security organizations, resource experts, and other stakeholders to develop activities, policies, and partnerships that will move the county towards food security and a sustainable food future.
Shop with a Cop was created to help less fortunate boys and girls in the Wake Forest area experience a joyous Christmas. Since its inception in 1998, the program has helped well over 500 local children. Donations enable the Wake Forest Police Department to take approximately 30-35 kids on a holiday shopping spree.
On the day of the shopping spree, the children visit the police department and are paired with a police officer "partner." The kids and their partners are then transported by bus to the Wake Forest Walmart, where each child receives $175 to spend on a winter coat and other items of their choice. Following the shopping spree, the children and their partners are treated to a pizza party.
Wake Forest Firefighters Foundation
Established in 2020 following the merger of the Wake Forest Fire Department (WFFD) and the Town of Wake Forest, the foundation aims to support the needs of WFFD firefighters and their families while also contributing to the community.
Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Scholarship Program
This program allows Wake Forest residents to register their children at 25% of the program or activity cost. It is available to families receiving financial assistance such as reduced-cost lunch or support from social services, and residents only need to provide documentation to qualify.
A donation information tent will feature representatives from each entity. Donations can be made by scanning a QR code or using credit or debit cards, as well as cash.
Last year’s donation drive raised more than $26,000, with 100% of the donated funds distributed according to contributor designations:
Helping Others by Providing Electricity: $900
Northern Community Food Security Team: $809
Shop with a Cop: $22,273
Wake Forest Firefighters Foundation: $1,291
Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Scholarship Program: $905
"While we're blessed to live in this kind of community, we can forget there are people in need," said Jennifer Herbert. "We want to make sure our events and programs are accessible to everyone. National organizations are great, but not direct. Wake Forest-based programs directly benefit our Wake Forest residents."
Donations are accepted through December 31.
