Catholic business contributes to Kids Fest success

Intermountain Catholic

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Without the funds raised by Kids Fest, ?We'd have to cut back,? said Lisa McDonald, executive director of Christmas Box International. ?We'd have to look at either reducing the support that we could give in a particular program or at times may even have to cut a program.?Photo courtesy of Christmas Box International

DRAPER — Abused and neglected children in Utah have an advocate in the Christmas Box International. The three houses – one each in Salt Lake City, Ogden and Moab – provide shelter and other services. But like many charitable organizations, the Christmas Box Houses have seen a decline in donations during the past year.

Thanks to the Salt Lake Board of Realtors, however, significant funding was raised to keep the doors of the Christmas Box Houses open by organizing the annual Kids Fest Carnival.

"They are a huge supporter for Christmas Box," said Lisa McDonald, executive director of Christmas Box International. "This year, they will end up being our major donor. It was over $60,000 that they raised for us. That’s significant. If they no longer did Kids Fest, especially in these challenging economic times, that would be a significant loss for us."

Members of the Board of Realtors also volunteer at different activities at Christmas Box, such as compiling kits to give to teens who are about to age out of the foster care system. "They’re wonderful supporters, both in volunteer time and then all the work they do to raise these funds," McDonald said.

Among those who helped organize Kids Fest was Paula Roth, a Realtor with Distinctive Properties in Draper. Previously, another Distinctive Properties Realtor, Darlene Dipo, was a committee chair for the event.

Kids Fest committee members start meeting in November to plan the event in August, Roth said. In addition to the daylong carnival, funds are raised through a silent auction and raffle.

Roth said she learned about Christmas Box through her work and volunteered because she was impressed with the organization’s mission. "I just thought it was great that they are taking these kids in and helping them build a life that they wouldn’t otherwise have," she said.

The real estate company’s nine agents also support other charities – two are chairing committees for a benefit for the Road Home and two are members of the Women’s Council of Realtors, which is involved with other charitable organizations.

Half of Distinctive Properties agents attend Saint John the Baptist Church in Draper and are active in parish projects such as the monthly shift at Saint Vincent de Paul Dining Hall and the yearly festival, Roth said.