Location: 814 W Church Street, Orlando FL in Parramore
Date: Saturday, Dec. 23
Time: Gates open at 4 p.m.; the movie “Elf” begins at 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Jennifer H. Desire
Phone: (321) 426-8869
FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO VOLUNTEER,
text Jenn at 321-426-8869 / [email protected]
If the work we are doing aligns with your company’s vision and you would like to get involved with a meaningful project that directly serves this Orlando community, please contact Ryan Young.
All funds contributed will allow the Desire Foundation to provide more children with a holiday gift.
Parramore families don’t have to go far for some holiday cheer this holiday season. The Desire Foundation, Inc. and Interstruct, Inc. present “A Holiday Hand” on Saturday, Dec. 23 at 814 W. Church Street. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with the screening of the movie Elf beginning at 5:45 p.m., complete with an over-the-top concession stand for guests to enjoy all their favorite movie snacks, for free. The lot will be comfortable, safe and secure for up to 100 kids and their grown-ups.
The movie is a new addition to the third Parramore family holiday event produced by the Desire Foundation which also includes a hot chocolate and dessert bar, gift wrapping, gingerbread house decorating, photos with Santa, and gifts for kids including toys, bikes and scooters (helmets included). As per all Project 814 events, there is no charge for entry, food, goods or services.
“A Holiday Hand: A Parramore Christmas Movie Night” is the ninth Project 814 event since Thanksgiving 2020 and is named for its location at the Interstruct headquarters. To date, Project 814 has directly served 2,500 people onsite, and many more who benefit from neighborhood food distribution.
All Project 814 events are spearheaded by Jennifer H. Desire, who has been feeding people who are homeless for several years. Having moved to Florida from Haiti in 2008, Desire recognized America’s abundance in contrast with homelessness. “How can we (America) have so much and still have homeless people?” Desire began helping others by buying $50 of school supplies at the Dollar Store and her efforts grew from the needs she saw. After being featured on a mural at 814 W. Church St in the summer of 2020, Desire used the mural as a recognizable landmark to connect with those she helped. The community project grew from there.
The primary objective is to bring essential resources that are not readily accessible into the Parramore community, and to build trust and develop a rapport with individuals so services can be better tailored to their needs. “People know they will get things they need,” says Desire. “You can only build programs with longevity if you build community and trust. That’s what’s going to keep you going.”
For “A Holiday Hand,” Desire envisions seeing families and kids with their friends watching a movie, eating popcorn, playing and enjoying all the holiday activity stations and then going home afterwards with toys. “Families don’t have to go far to have an experience they’ve probably never had before,” says Desire.
As with all Project 814 events, Desire’s driving mantra is, “How can we make someone’s life better?”
If you would like to be added to a volunteer list, please contact Jennifer H. Desire
Phone: 321-426-8869
[email protected]
If you have a service – such as barbering and other salon services, dentistry, general health provider, food services, etc. – to provide, please contact Jennifer H. Desire.
Winter Wonderland, A Holiday Festival
Thanksgiving with a Friend, 2021
“A Holiday Hand” at the mural on Church Street
The artists and activist of the Unity Mural on Church Street
How the Unity Mural Project was recognized in three categories at the Downtown Orlando Partnership’s 2020 Golden Brick Awards.
How a mural became a landmark to help Parramore neighbors in need.
Justice for All: Mural is Orlando Artists’ Labor of Love
Air Date: January 13, 2021
News 13 at the Unity Mural Project blessing bags event.
Miles Don’t Matter: Orlando woman, now in Atlanta, comes home to help homeless
Air Date: September 27, 2021
