By Amanda Pevey
Elmore/Autauga News
On Monday, December 13th at the Wetumpka Civic Center the families from the HIPPY program enjoyed a festive Christmas party event put on by the staff and the Director of the HIPPY program, MaryAnn McCluskey. HIPPY stands for Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters.
It’s a FREE program provided to the families with preschoolers between the ages of two and five by the Elmore County Board of Education. The theme this year for the Christmas program was “Share the spirit of Giving.”
Crafts were made to share with friends, food to share with animals, goodies to share with the animal shelter/food pantry, a time to share with loved ones, and a special visit with Santa.
Ninety families participate in the FREE HIPPY program, and over 100 people were in attendance at the at the Wetumpka Civic Center. Dinner was provided which consisted of fresh chicken tenders, potato logs, Hawaiian sweet rolls, cookies, tea, juice and water.
The children sat with their families, creating holiday pictures to take home. Brandy Grant, who was a former Home Visitor back in 2008 and worked for the program for four years, came out to help with the event along with MaryAnn McCluskey, Director of the HIPPY and Home Visitors.
Donna Collins, Amber Hoggard, Katie Carlisle and Bailey Stokley are all Home Visitors for the 2021-2022 school year.
Crafts included making Veteran cards to be sent to the Montgomery Veterans Hospital. Hot cocoa mix in glass jars was made as gifts to give away to friends and family. Bird feeders were made with felt sticks, and cheerios. The children made reindeer food to sprinkle out on Christmas Eve. A snowman countdown was made by the children so they could take it home.
A special visitor from the North Pole, Santa Clause, came out to have pictures made with the children and pass out gifts to each of the kids. Elves from the Wetumpka High Theatre Guild came out to the event to interact with the children, dancing with them and having fun with everyone. The absolutely made the evening Merry and Bright.
Jeff Glass is the Theatre Director for the Wetumpka High School Theatre Guild, and helped make this night more magical by having “his elves” come to help.
“I would definitely like to mention the theatre kids’ teacher Jeff Glass. He comes through for us every year with providing help and checking back to see how they did for us. I thank the elves as they did an outstanding job for us,” McCluskey said. “I really want to thank my amazing Home Visitors! They came out and did all the decorating and setting up while I ran around all over Elmore County picking things up. These ladies always come through and make things happen….they make me look like I’m doing a good job. I appreciate them more than they know. Our HIPPY families are the best part though!!! The way they come out and take out of their day for us and their children. I just love the love they have for their children! I’m sure parents would rather be at home relaxing but they choose to bring their children out to let them have fun and see Santa! It says a lot for parents and their love for their children. I can’t put in words how that makes me feel. But it’s awesome.”
McCluskey is looking to hire two more Home Visitors for the HIPPY program. A Home Visitor is a parent educator that comes into the home to role-play lessons to the parent. This program is very beneficial to prepare preschoolers for Kindergarten. The program, curriculum, and all activities associated with it are 100% free to participating families.
For more information about the program or questions regarding employment please message the HIPPY Facebook page at: www.Facebook.com/elmorecountyhippy.com or call (334) 567-1200 ext. 24009 or visit their website at: www.elmoreco.com/hippy. SEE MANY MORE PHOTOS OF THE EVENT BELOW!
