2009 11th Annual Christmas in the Park

Held DECEMBER 19, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
at the Dallas Fair Park Automobile Building

For over ten years the S.M. Wright Foundation has been on the front lines in one of the poorest areas in our city. For children who live in poverty, Christmas in the Park is a yuletide miracle. For parents, senior citizens and the homeless this event is a heaven sent holiday gift. Now in its 11th year of brightening the lives of families in the South Dallas/Fair Park and surrounding communities, CITP gives toys, food, clothing, household items and furniture donated by caring individuals, organizations and businesses. Considered the largest community giveaway during the holidays, CITP is a very unique event where residents can do it all under one roof at the Fair Park Automobile Building.

The inaugural CITP event in 1998 registered less than 200 underprivileged kids. Last year over 20,000 families attended and stood in a line over one-mile long. The event was moved to Fair Park from People’s Missionary Baptist Church and Opportunity Park to contain the thousands of less fortunate families.

The S.M. Wright Foundation serves the South Dallas-Fair Park community with the mission of continuing the legacy of the late Dr. S.M. Wright Sr. by providing support to inner-city underprivileged children and less fortunate families through the areas in hunger relief, education, health, economic empowerment and social service assistance moving them from a position of dependency to a position of self-sufficiency. As a civil rights leader, Dr. Wright worked to bridge the gap between races and empower those disenfranchised in the Dallas community. A four mile stretch of South Central Expressway between U.S. Highway 45 and Loop 12 in Dallas was renamed the S.M. Wright Freeway in remembrance of the leadership of Dr. S.M. Wright.

The Wright Foundation was established in an effort to meet the growing needs of inner-city underprivileged kids and less fortunate families. The Foundation understands that the inner-city family faces difficult problems and circumstances that can affect the overall living conditions. The Wright Foundation has taken on the call to duty to provide relief and hope for many families who are suffering. It is our belief to give added support to the kids and families in South Dallas the tools they need in becoming self sufficient and bring back stability in the home and community.