CULLMAN, Ala. – Local nonprofit Curt’s Closet will host its first Christmas Open House this year. The event will take place Sunday, Dec. 7, from 4-6 p.m.
Executive Director and Founder Ashley Wilson said Curt’s Closet is opening its doors and heart to the community for its inaugural Christmas Open House, a festive celebration where supporters, families and friends can experience firsthand the mission and impact behind the nonprofit.
“In the spirit of giving, Curt’s Closet will also be hosting a community coat drive during the event,” Wilson said. “Attendees are encouraged to bring new or gently used coats of all sizes to help keep local children warm this winter. At the Open House, guests will enjoy an afternoon full of holiday cheer, including visits with Santa, letters to Santa, cookies and a hot cocoa bar, crafts, face painting and a special keepsake; the first 40 attendees will receive a custom Curt’s Closet Christmas ornament.”
Beyond the fun, the Open House offers something even more special: an opportunity for the public to step inside Curt’s Closet and see the heart of its mission in action. Visitors can tour the warehouse and experience the incredible scale of both its Curt’s Christmas program and year-round outreach.
Curt’s Closet Community Outreach and Fundraising Specialist Cheyenne Sharp said when visitors walk through the warehouse and see how much love and work goes into every single gift, it’s hard not to be moved.
“This event is really about connection,” Sharp said. “We wanted to open our doors and show people what we do, why we do it and who we do it for. So many people want to help but don’t always know where to start. This is the perfect opportunity to come in, see the need up close and realize just how much of an impact one person can make.”
The Curt’s Christmas program, which has grown dramatically in recent years, provides Christmas gifts and essentials to hundreds of local children whose families are facing financial hardship.
“Working in partnership with local schools and community members, Curt’s Closet ensures that every child feels seen, valued and loved during the holidays,” Sharp said.
“You hear about the numbers – hundreds of kids, thousands of items – but when you see it in person, it hits differently. It’s more than just toys or clothes; it’s hope stacked on shelves, waiting to find its way into a local child’s hands.”
The Open House also gives donors, volunteers and potential new supporters a chance to learn how they can get involved. Sharp added that the event is designed to be both festive and meaningful.
“We’ll have Santa, cocoa, crafts, all the fun Christmas things, but we also want people to leave inspired,” she said. “We want them to see that Curt’s Closet is more than a building; it’s a heartbeat and a lifeline in this community. Every toy, every coat, every pair of shoes here represents a moment of kindness from someone who chose to care. And that’s what this season, and this Open House, is really all about.”
The Christmas Open House will take place at Curt’s Closet, located at 1101 Third Ave. SE in Cullman, on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 4-6 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.
