Annual Events

Children’s Day

Día de los Niños or Children's Day is an annual spring event that our Neighborhood Organizer Federico Diaz helped start in Washington Park inspired by the neighbors themselves. This free event for the children of the neighborhood takes place at Washington Park usually on a Saturday from 10:00am to 3:00pm.  As soccer tournaments are underway and music is playing, kids participate in many more activities: breaking piñatas, building bird houses, playing parachute games, and bouncing around in the Jumping Castle . Service providers are invited to set up an informational booth and activities for kids to engage in. Many organizations such as America West Bank, Banner Bank, the WA-Hi Latino Club, AmeriCorps, Whitman College students, other community groups, and neighbors volunteer at this fun event which draws approximately 600 people, mainly from the Washington Park and Edith-Carrie neighborhoods.

National Night Out

C2C participates annually to help organize National Night Out (NNO) with the Walla Walla Police Department. NNO is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back against crime. NNO is celebrated in the summer at Jefferson Park, with approximately 1000 attendees, of which 60% are neighbors living in the vicinity of the park. C2C, along with 30 other agencies/organizations, provide an activity for the kids and a sticker to go on their Passports for Safety. Banner Bank provides free barbecued hot dogs and root beer floats. For more information please visit, www.wwacw.com

Tree Lighting Ceremony

For the past five years, around Thanksgiving, C2C has organized the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Jefferson Park. Students from Lincoln High School, along with the help of the Walla Walla Fire Department, volunteer to decorate the tree while C2C staff members string colorful lights on the train facing 9th Street. Students also volunteer to sing Christmas carols, while the reenactment by the park's historic owner, "Charlie" Phillips welcomes the neighbors. As the night got colder and a special neighbor plugs in the lights, Santa appears to shower kids with candy canes and hopes of a happy holiday season. Students from WA-HI make a variety of homemade cookies and Hastings donates hot chocolate for all.

 
Neighborhood Christmas Parties

The Washington Park Neighborhood Christmas Party began in 2007 to create a happy memory for the children of the neighborhood. Many of the families are unable to provide their children with a home full of presents on Christmas Day. It is thanks to the generous donation awarded to C2C from the Elks Lodge, community members and others, that all children who attend the Christmas Party, receive presents, a hug from Santa, a free homemade dinner, and time to enjoy an evening of song and dance with their families. In 2009, over 400 people came to the Christmas party to partake in the festivities. C2C did all the Christmas shopping, but volunteers from the RSVP program at the Senior Center helped with the gift wrapping. A local group performed the Re-enactment of the Nativity Scene, and different music groups performed as well. It has always been a time to rejoice and smile as children glow with the Spirit of Christmas.

As the years have gone by we have added Christmas Parties in most of the neighborhoods in which we work. Look forward to our newest Christmas party tradition starting up in the Blue Ridge neighborhood.

Children's Day Games

Tree Lighting Ceremony at Jefferson Park

Washington Park Neighborhood Christmas Party