“Frivolous, fun and happy.” That is how organizer Shay Jung, the founder of Wilco Art Lab, describes the upcoming Loud & Gaudy Ugly Sweater Party and teddy bear drive she is organizing from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday Dec. 9. in room 204 of Old Taylor High, 410 W. Seventh Street in Taylor.
There will be games, sweets, an ornament making station for $5 for all ages, a free letter to Santa station, plus a contest with prizes for the ugliest, most creative, most festive, cutest, funniest and best couple sweaters.
But the focus of the party is not just on having fun, Jung said.
“When I was a kid, my mom was known by the police, but in a poor way, and we had several interactions in any given year with police,” Jung recalled.
“Coming to the house or traffic stops or the officers responding to our call, when I or other children were there, they would have teddy bears in their trunk that they would give to us.”
Jung said prior to the party there will be large, labeled bins for the teddy bear drive. In addition, participants who bring a teddy bear to donate will be eligible for a raffle drawing.
“I am trying to figure out what things from my childhood positively impacted negative situations and where I can do that type of good in the community,” Jung said. “So when I was thinking about an ugly sweater party, it was so frivolous and fun and just happy but I figured a way that I could make it feel really impactful to me was to do this drive.”
“Having a little gift of comfort during a confusing or traumatic event can have a positive impact on a child’s life,” Jung added.
