A Season of Celebration and Service

Even in the hardest of times, people can find joy in holiday traditions. Centered on reflection and gratitude, the holiday season is time to give back to friends, family and those less fortunate.  

Organizations across the state are doing just that. Throughout December, Oklahomans can find ways to connect and make a lasting impact in their community by participating in charitable deeds and locally organized festivities. 

For 12 years, City Lights Tulsa has been serving people experiencing homelessness through compassionate outreach and housing support. Aimed at making the holidays a special time for all, the organization is bringing back its annual Christmas Under the Bridge program in 2025. 

Every Thursday, volunteers with City Lights feed hundreds of people under the bridge at Maybelle Avenue and Reconciliation Way. The Thursday before Christmas, Dec. 18, volunteers will give away clothing, warm meals and gifts to hundreds of people in need. 

“We’ve had carolers before, and we always serve a special meal,” says Haley Kardokus, the director of development and communications at City Lights. “It’s a chance for people to feel like they’re a part of a community and can participate in things that people with housing get to do.” 

City Lights is also preparing to reactivate its emergency mobile outreach program during times of extreme weather, distributing hot hands, blankets and other essentials to people in encampments. To make both programs possible, the organization relies on donations and a dedicated group of volunteers. 

“There’s room for everyone, and it’s a great place to build relationships,” says Kardokus. “As much as we are serving our neighbors, it’s also a gift to the person who is serving; it really shows you the humanity of the people living next to us.”  

To learn how to get involved, go to citylightsok.org. 

Last Christmas, Toys for Tots distributed more than 40,000 toys to children in the Oklahoma City area. Motivated to deliver hope to those less fortunate, the organizers behind the program are working to reach more kids than ever before. 

“Whether it’s 50 or 100 more kids, being able to go further with the campaign is ultimately what we want to do,” says Staff Sergeant Natasha Gann, who oversees the program. 

Starting in Los Angeles in 1947, Toys for Tots has rapidly grown into a nationwide program that serves millions of families annually. Its mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys every holiday to distribute to children in need. 

People can drop off toys at participating locations across the state until Dec. 15. In the days leading up to Christmas, the organization relies on volunteers to transport, store, organize and wrap toys. 

“We’re all about joining in, whether it’s the smallest of contributions,” says Gann.

By removing the financial pressure of shopping for gifts, families can focus on what matters most: spending time with each other. 

“Seeing the smiles and the joy on the parents’ and children’s faces is priceless,” says Gann. “Even if it is a couple toys, it’s taking that stress off of them, which is huge in itself.” 

To learn more about the program, check out toysfortots.org. 

Organized by Downtown OKC and presented by Devon Energy, Downtown in December brings together over thirty holiday events and activities into the heart of the city. Launched in 2002, the event was created with the goal of revitalizing the city’s downtown stretch. By drawing people to this area, the event has helped generate over $6 million in additional funds for local business owners since 2013. 

“Many small businesses count on this time of the year, and every purchase [they get] really strengthens our community,” says Danielle Dodson, the director of marketing and communications at Downtown OKC.

Running through the end of January, the event features ice skating, holiday pop-up shops, photos with Santa and other family-friendly activities. Lights on Broadway will also return on select Saturdays, transforming Automobile Alley into a stunning display of 600,000 Christmas lights.

Planning Downtown in December is a year-round effort for event organizers. 

“There truly is something magical about being downtown and seeing all these families take photos and kids skating for the first time at the Devon ice rink,” says Dodson. “Those shared moments make all the hard work worth it.”

To check out a full calendar of activities, go to downtownindecember.com. 

Nestled in the heart of downtown Tulsa, Winterfest is celebrating its 18th anniversary this year. The community event, which features an open-air ice-skating rink, has steadily grown to attract over 150,000 visitors annually.  

Bringing dozens of events together is a full-time job for organizers. 

“It is year-round planning,” says Holly Harper, who is the tenant and special events manager for the BOK Center.  “We’ve already started talking about next year’s event.”

This year, Winterfest will introduce a new program, Student Night, in partnership with Tulsa Community College. Beginning Dec. 5, TCC students can get a 50% discount on skating tickets every Friday evening. 

Visitors can experience the festival’s mainstay attractions, including a 44-foot Christmas tree, hot cocoa and an igloo village. Focused on making a difference in the community, Food Drive Mondays and Warmth Wednesdays will also return this year.    

Visitors that participate in Winterfest’s donation drives will receive a 50% discount on skating tickets. 

“For us, Winterfest is really an opportunity to stay involved in the community and give back,” reflects Harper.

To plan your visit, go to tulsawinterfest.com. 

Featured photo credit: At Arvest Winterfest, Tulsans will find ice skating, a 44-foot Christmas tree, hot cocoa and an igloo village. Photo by Phil Clarkin courtesy Arvest Winterfest