EMPORIA (KSNT) – Emporia Main Street is preparing for a busy holiday season with several community events aimed at supporting military members, encouraging local shopping and helping businesses grow.
During a Thursday morning visit with 27 News, representatives from Emporia Main Street discussed several upcoming opportunities for the community to get involved. One of the organization’s annual traditions is collecting donations for holiday care packages for Kansas soldiers who are deployed or serving away from home.
Emporia Main Street staff collects items such as hygiene products, puzzles, crossword books, magazines and nonperishable food. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 4. Monetary contributions are also being collected to help cover shipping costs.
Organizers said the packages give deployed soldiers a reminder of home and a connection to Kansas during the holidays.
“Soldiers are so thankful to have a little taste of home and to connect with Kansas,” said Casey Woods, executive director with Emporia Main Street. “It’s great to see smiles on their faces and I think we started this when a local soldier was deployed to Afghanistan and that’s been several years, a couple decades ago, and every year since then it seems like that effort continues to grow.”
Veterans and their families join Emporia community at Veterans Day Parade
Emporia Main Street is also preparing for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28, with activities planned throughout downtown Emporia. Families can participate in an elf scavenger hunt from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Local businesses will decorate and hide 3D-printed Christmas elves, giving visitors a chance to explore participating stores. Those who complete their scavenger hunt passports will have an opportunity to win a prize.
Small Business Saturday will also include a free showing of Home Alone at the Emporia Granada Theatre at 2 p.m., sponsored by local businesses.
Emporia Main Street representatives said shopping locally helps keep more money in the community while supporting independent businesses and entrepreneurs.
In addition to holiday activities, the organization is offering opportunities for local businesses and community members to learn more about drone technology. A drone class is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14. The class will cover proper drone use, licensing and other requirements. Organizers said drones are increasingly being used by industries including real estate, agriculture and banking.
More information about the class, upcoming programs and ways to support local businesses is available on Emporia Main Street’s website.
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