SWANNANOA, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Coming on the heels of a Thanksgiving event that served over 800 meals to hungry Swannanoans, Patterson Contracting Group LLC and Swannanoa Christian Church are collaborating with another community staple, Asheville Christian Academy, to craft a magical Christmas morning.

The Christmas Morning Magic festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at Asheville Christian Academy, 74 Riverwood Road, Swannanoa.

READ ABOUT THE CONTRACTORS THAT SERVED HUNDREDS OF FREE THANKSGIVING DINNERS TO SWANNANOA CITIZENS HERE.

The free event is meant to be a massive holiday celebration for the community. Just a few of the activities include cookie decorating, eating Christmas-shaped pancakes, gift wrapping and a hopping on a bouncy-house.

“Kids can wear their pajamas and just have a place to hang out that is warm and fun and festive for Christmas and get a little change of scenery from their cold campers or hotels,” wrote Swannanoa Christian Church and Swannanoa community member Celestiel Balson in a text message.

Balson said that thousands of people remain displaced in the area after Hurricane Helene swept through the region earlier this year. Many families lost their homes and have been moved into small campers instead, leaving their belongings stored in tents susceptible to further damage from the elements. Christmas Morning Magic will also provide opportunities for those families to apply for better accommodations.

Campers are a prolific sight in Swannanoa in the days after Hurricane Helene.
Portable potable water tanks are set up to support campers.
There are still laundry and bathing sites available in the area, like this one in front of Owen Pool.
Devastated cars line up in the field in front of Asheville Christian Academy.

“Cabins For Christ will be there with a shed display that people can apply for if needed for storage,” wrote Balson. “So many people are living in campers or cramped spaces with family and friends, and have nowhere to store their belongings that made it through the flood.”

Gift cards for propane and gift shopping will also be available at the event, as well as a Q&A table for troubleshooting the challenges of living in a camper during the winter months.

“This has been a hard couple of months for the Swannanoa Valley and surrounding areas and we are just hoping to bless the socks off of some families!” wrote Balson.

Balson said that interested families can fill out a contact form at the event to have community members check up on them in the months to come.

For more information about Christmas Morning Magic or its sponsors, Patterson Contracting Group LLC and Asheville Christian Academy, visit the Friends of Swannanoa Facebook page.

“River Lives Matter” declares a ruined outpost along the river in Swannanoa.