Faith Riccardi of Lisbon and Maria Coble of Chester display two gifts presented at a past Jesus’ birthday party held by Bless This Ministries. (Submitted photo)

NEWELL — Bless This Child Ministries is reminding area residents of the reason for the season.

Join them to celebrate Jesus’ birthday with a giant party at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 in the bingo hall within the Newell Community Center, 813 Washington St.

There will be plenty of prizes, a bounce house, cake with ice cream and pizza — like an average birthday party. However, unlike most parties, attendees will be the ones receiving the gifts.

BTC is a non-profit children’s food ministry based in northern Hancock County.

“Every child will receive a gift wrapped in birthday paper to take home and place under their tree for Christmas morning as a reminder of why we celebrate Christmas,” explained party planner Melissa Coble.

The first year she hosted the event was 2014, and Coble added that it continues to be possible thanks to the generosity of a few anonymous donors.

This year, BTC did add something new. In addition to some new games, the underage recipients now can shop for their parents or guardians from the new Three Wise Men’s gift table in the hallway.

“Each gift will get wrapped in birthday paper just like the gift each child will receive that night. These birthday-wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree will be a reminder to the whole family that Jesus is the greatest gift of all,” she added.

Coble asks that attendees register by Friday, Dec. 13, through Bless This Child Ministries’ event page with the number of adults attending; contact information like email and phone number; and specific child information like name, gender and age to ensure that they can best fulfill needs.