UPDATED: December 7th, 2011
Join us Saturday, December 17th, 2011 for our first annual Nanta Claus party and benefit. The event begins at 6 pm and will feature several NBC Christmas brews and a “Worst Holiday Sweater” contest. We are asking all attendees to bring an unwrapped, unused toy to be donated to children in Swain County who otherwise will not have a Christmas this year. For more details about the Swain County families we’ve adopted this year and to learn how you can adopt a family, see the How Can You Help section below.
The Benefit:
This year the party benefits local Swain County families who cannot afford to provide Christmas gifts for their children. To attend, simply bring an unused, unwrapped toy (girl or boy) to the party and help us spread a little Christmas joy to as many local families as possible this season.
The “Worst Holiday Sweater” contest:
Their will be a “Worst Holiday Sweater” contest. The judging will commence at 8 pm and the winner will receive a growler their choice of one of our Nanta Claus brews and a Nantahala Brewing $50 gift certificate/tab.
The Nanta-claus brews (To be tapped at 7 pm):
Our brewers have been hard at work concocting the perfect Christmas brews for our Nanta Claus party. Although the details of each brew will be kept a secret until the day of the party, we are happy to report that Santa sent us a little Christmas Magic and all those boxes of Chocolate Covered Cherries we’ve been stashing over the years are finally being put to good use!
Adopting our Christmas Families:
Yesterday, Jenn and I (Joe) spent a few hours at the Swain County Family Resource Center here in Bryson City carefully reviewing the overwhelming number of families in our community who are in serious need of help this holiday season. It was a humbling experience and one that reminded us of how lucky we are to be able to put food on the table and provide a solid roof over our heads. It was disheartening to see that the parents weren’t asking for toys for their children, but socks, shoes and a warm winter jacket. Items that we take for granted. As we poured over the pile of requests, I was so saddened that I couldn’t help but want to do something for everyone in that stack. However, Jenn quickly reminded me that my heart was bigger than our pocketbook and we’d have to somehow select five children (4 families) that the brewery and crew could help this year. The task was one of the most difficult I’ve experienced in many, many years.
What Can You Do To Help:
The families we’ve selected, were ones that we decided, were the most in need, but there are many more who are in need of help. So, we are asking all of our friends, family and fans to lend us a hand this year. We’ve got our adopted families covered, but with your help we can help more. We realize that many of you do not live in our area and have charities, friends and loved-ones who you will help this year at home. Not being from Bryson City ourselves we can relate, but this is a wonderful community that boasts lots of one of a kind landscapes, outdoor experiences and natural history. It also happens to be one of the poorest areas in the country. One that receives little (if any) donations and help from outside of the community. So, if you fortunate enough in these tough times to be able to reach a little deeper this season and send some Christmas cheer to the less fortunate children of our community here’s how you can help.
1. Come to our benefit on the 17th and bring an unwrapped, unused toy. Even if you don’t drink beer or drink at all, that’s okay.
2. If you can’t make it to the party, that’s okay too. You can send your donations to:
(IMPORTANT: We do not receive regular mail at our physical address. So, be sure to send your donation to the correct address based on the shipping type.)
USPS: Nantahala Brewing c/o Nanta Claus, PO Box 483, Bryson City, NC 28713
Fedex/UPS: Nantahala Brewing c/o Nanta Claus, 61 Depot Street, Bryson City, NC 28713
3. Our friends at Bryson City Bicycles have been donating their gently used bikes to families in need through the Family Resource Center for some time now and this year they are doing even more to help. If you have a gently used bike that your child has outgrown, Bryson City Bicycles will gladly clean it up and donate it to one of the many children in need this Christmas. To contact them about donating your gently used bike, give Diane a call at (828) 488-1988.
Want To Do Even More?
If you would like to do even more and adopt your own family this year, please contact Ashley at the Swain County Family Resource Center at (828) 488-7505. Let her know you want to adopt a family for Christmas and feel free to tell her we sent you.
