Upcoming Events for 2006-2007



We are always busy here at John Smith's Hill doing something fun and educational. Below you will find out about what events we have coming up for 2006 and what events are scheduled for 2007.

Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks, and we all know that eating Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends is a big part of that celebration, however there are quite a few people in our community that are shut ins, or are disabled in some way. John Smith's Hill provides food boxes for eligible residents in and around our community during this time. We pack large boxes with assorted food items and through the help of volunteers we deliver these care packages. We have had great success with this program in the past, and the happiness that we can bring to these individuals and their families is priceless.

In December we have our Annual Kwanzaa Celebration, a great time of fun, fellowship and learning. Kwaanza is a week-long secular holiday honoring African-American heritage, observed from December 26 to January 1 each year, almost exclusively by African-Americans in the United States of America. Kwanzaa consists of seven days of celebration, featuring activities such as candle-lighting and pouring of libations, and culminating in a feast and gift-giving.

With January bringing in the New Year we have our annual Chinese New Year Celebration. The origin of the Chinese New Year is itself centuries old - in fact, too old to actually be traced. It is popularly recognised as the Spring Festival and celebrations last 15 days.

February we celebrate Black History Month. Black History Month is celebrated annually in the United States in the month of February. Carter G. Woodson chose the second week of February for Negro History Week in 1926 because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the black American population, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Later on in 1976, as the nation reached its bicentennial, the week was expanded into an entire month.

In may we celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo ("The Fifth of May" in Spanish) is a national holiday in Mexico which is also widely celebrated in the United States. It commemorates the victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza over the French occupational forces in the Battle of Puebla on 05 May 1862.

In November we honor American Indian Month. The purpose of National American Indian Heritage Month is to honor and recognize the original peoples of this land.

These are just a few of the celebrations that we have throughout the year at John Smith's Hill. We encourage you to call, or come by today for more information regarding our entire list of programs and upcoming events.