Residents and staff set to enjoy ‘Christmas at McAfee Towers’ on Friday

"The joy that you see on these people's faces, the thank you's, and just the overall happiness that they give to us during that day, just make us so proud,” said Yuwanda Parks.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon is feeling the holiday spirit! Several events have already been held this month, and over on Gray Highway, “Christmas at McAfee Towers” is set for Friday.

195 residents and staff will receive hot meals and toiletry bags while enjoying good music and dining together.

We spoke with Macon residents Yuwanda Parks and Sherrell Brown, who say it’s their third year doing this event and that it was made possible with donations from friends, coworkers and family.

“Christmas at the McAfee Towers? It’s a group of family and friends coming together on one occasion, serving the community during this holiday season,” Parks said.

“The reason why we’re doing it is that it’s not for fame or fortune, right? But it just gives us our hearts filled with joy and love,” she said.

“It’s all about enjoyment and just giving something back to the people here,” Brown said. “We just want to thank everybody that has participated and who has donated. We really appreciate it.”

Parks was the one who originally started Christmas at McAfee Towers. We asked her why.

“I have been giving for so many years to different types of organizations and different types of projects,” she said. “I decided to actually go within my heart to find out what is really needed in this community, and so many people give to other projects, but this is one of the few resident communities that people seem to forget, and the joy that you see on these people’s faces, the thank yous, and just the overall happiness that they give to us during that day, just make us so proud.”

Parks and Brown say the event has grown every year, and they never turn away any donations.

The Christmas luncheon will be Friday from 2 to 4 p.m.