Paul Anderson Youth Home Hosts Christmas Family Extravaganza on Dec. 2

The Christ-centered youth home’s annual Christmas celebration raises funds, awareness and spirits.

(VIDALIA, GA) Paul Anderson Youth Home (PAYH), a fully accredited and licensed residential program and on-campus school offering a second chance to young men in crisis, held their annual Christmas concert event and party on Dec. 2, at the First Baptist Church of Vidalia.

 

“During this Christmas season, our annual event that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and our continued celebration of God’s goodness and grace,” said Glenda Anderson Leonard, co-founder of PAYH. “We are both excited and amazed at how God’s faithfulness has brought us to the significant milestone of our 60th anniversary!”

The festive event included musical selections from Vidalia Heritage Academy and a variety of local musicians and young men from the Home, Christmas carols sung by the crowd, and more. The always exemplary Rev. Don Moye of First Baptist Church Vidalia led the production.

“This program is a spectacular gala celebration of Christmas for families, the boys, for the community to come out and voice their support and presence for Paul Anderson Youth Home,” said Moye.

A “Jingle Mingle” was held before the main program featuring a tempting assortment of exquisite, delectable Christmas goodies and heavy hors d’oeuvres.

At PAYH, the endless distractions and commercialization of Christmas are put on pause. Instead, the Home celebrates the birth of Christ, slowing down the hectic nature of the season to allow a focus on its true meaning. The Christmas Family Extravaganza finds that balance of celebrating God’s gifts and having fun while supporting such a worthy cause.

“It was a night of miraculous wonder as we celebrate the start of the Christmas season,” said Anderson Leonard. “This event was a fantastic opportunity for our community to invest in the kingdom of God and the lives of these gentlemen through the ministry of Paul Anderson Youth Home.”

As we gather to celebrate this Christmas season, PAYH asks everyone to keep an open ear and open heart to spread the word about the program and connect them with the families of young men struggling with behavioral problems and issues of discipline, anger and depression. Through their spiritual counseling, character development, and accelerated learning program, they share Christ with these young men. Their Christmas Extravaganza is one of the many celebrations held throughout the year to honor this important work.

ABOUT PAUL ANDERSON YOUTH HOME

Founded in 1961 by weightlifting world champion and Olympic gold medalist Paul Anderson and his wife, Glenda, the Paul Anderson Youth Home (PAYH) is a Christian residential program and on-campus school for young men between the ages of 16 and 21 struggling with behavioral problems and issues of discipline, anger and depression. PAYH is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Cognia. In addition to counseling and character development, PAYH offers an accelerated learning program enabling residents to graduate with a high school diploma and technical certifications. To date, over 1,400 young men have attended the program. The Home is located at 1603 McIntosh St. in Vidalia, GA. To learn more about PAYH, call (912) 537-7237 or visit www.payh.org.