"Cookies, Cocoa, and Photos with Santa" Returns for Another Year of Giving Dec. 2nd
Photos with Santa is fun for the whole family! Pictured left to right: Jennifer Josephson, Josephson’s mom Barbara Frasier, Santa, Josephson’s son Legend, age 4, Josephson’s daughter Presslie, age 11, and Josephson’s Dad Lloyd Frasier.
By Cole Goodwin
Hood River, Ore., November 10, 2023 – The festive spirit of giving is returning to Hood River with the third annual "Cookies, Cocoa, and Photos with Santa" event, organized by Jennifer Josephson of Windermere Real Estate and Cara McNulty of Kiddie City Child Care Facility. This festive community event hopes to bring holiday cheer to the community while raising money to help those experiencing homelessness this holiday season.
Scheduled for December 2nd, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Historic Hood River Hotel Lobby, located at 102 Oak St in downtown Hood River the event promises a fun-filled day for families. This year, families can enjoy photos with Santa, delicious artisanal cookies from Dani’s Kitchen Shop, warm up with some classic hot cocoa, and get a raffle ticket to win exciting prizes all for the cost of $20. Additional raffle tickets are available for $5 each, offering attendees additional chances to win.
The funds raised from the event will benefit Mid-Columbia Community Action Council, and be used to provide street outreach and purchase supplies and necessities for those experiencing homelessness in Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman Counties. Any leftover funds from the project may be used to provide holiday gifts for clients.
Josephson is proud to once again be putting on the event to benefit her community.
Jenniffer, Presslie, and Legend Joseph at the event.
"I'm a single mom and I've used a lot of resources in the community in the past," said Josephson. "I wanted to give back and do something for my community. I love Christmas, so the idea of a Santa event came to mind."
Jennifer Josephson and Cara McNulty present the MCCAC team with a big check at the Hood River Shelter Site in 2022. Pictured left to right: Sara Kellems, Rob Mendoza, Kelli Horvath, Jennifer Josephson, Kenny LaPoint, and Cara McNulty. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Kelli Horvath, Director of the Office of Housing Stabilization at MCCAC, praised Josephson and McNulty for putting on the event.
“I think it's really powerful that these two awesome women and community leaders in our region decided to pull together this event to benefit houseless folks, because disproportionately, houseless families with children, are headed by single mothers. It’s really powerful,” said Hovrath.
The event is also supported and sponsored by local businesses including Eternal Visions, JP Visuals, Optimist Printers, JP Vizuals, and the Hood River Hotel.
Organizers said they are looking forward to another year of celebrating a heartwarming tradition that embodies the true spirit of the holiday season - giving back and spreading joy, and encouraged the community to join them again this year for cookies, cocoa, and photos with Santa.
The 2023 flyer.
