Thousands of visitors enjoyed Scottsdale Family Fun Night at Palm Lane Christian Reformed Church, Scottsdale, Ariz. For five years, Palm Lane has served the City of Scottsdale on October 31, piggybacking on their fall festival in nearby Eldorado Park.
Family Fun Night at Palm Lane CRC.
Pete Diepersloot, who attends Palm Lane, said, “We handed out bilingual invitations as the community went to and from the city festival. We got an amazingly good response. We saw families call other families to come attend our free alternative event.”
The church fed over 1,000 visitors with bottled water, candy, cotton candy, home-baked cookies, hot dogs, nacho chips, and popcorn.
“I came into contact with children by handing out candy and a card in English and Spanish about our youth programs, like Cadets, GEMS, and youth groups, at the prayer center. I then requested if I could bless them in prayer,” said Jim Bosma, 84. “One mother returned with her other children to receive blessings.”
Over 61 volunteers from ages 10 to 80 helped out this year. Most of them were from the Palm Lane congregation and Nuevo Pacto, Palm Lane’s tenant Spanish church. Volunteer hours topped 400. Donna, event coordinator, said, “I was overwhelmed at the huge outpouring of volunteer support. Through service, we became more unified as a family of Christ.”
About the Author
Shashi DeHaan is the Banner's regional news correspondent for classes Arizona and Red Mesa.