By Chrissy Carter
Contributing Writer

LAPLACE – Residents of Cambridge subdivision, community volunteers and local officials gathered Saturday to celebrate the Christmas season and the bright future of their neighborhood.

The first annual Christmas in Cambridge-Colony event was held to encourage residents that the New Year will bring many blessings after facing the hardships of Hurricane Isaac. Councilman Larry Snyder and St. John the Baptist Parish President Natalie Robottom kicked off the celebration with inspirational words of hope.

“Cambridge subdivision was one of our hardest hit areas, and it is important for them to know that they haven’t been forgotten,” said Robottom.

The Cambridge-Colony Homeowner’s Association along with Beacon of Hope Resource Center and the United Way joined together to organize the event. Children had the opportunity to take photos with Santa, while parents spoke to Beacon of Hope’s Jason Stopa about recovery and neighborhood restoration. Residents also had the chance to place their name in a raffle to win a $100 gift card to Home Depot and a $25 gift card to Lowes.  

“Beacon of Hope is a non-profit organization that was founded after Hurricane Katrina, and we have continued to reach out to communities who need recovery resources. We want to help Cambridge lay out the ground work that needs to be done in the New Year,” said Stopa.

Cambridge-Colony Homeowner’s Association President Mary Henry was thrilled to see so many community members attending this year’s event. “We are bringing our community back to what we know it can be. This is our first event, and it will be bigger and better in the years to come,” said Henry. “There are so many volunteers that helped with this celebration, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”

Besides visiting with Santa Claus, youngsters were entertained by bouncing around in a spacewalk and dancing to Christmas music. Free food and beverages were also provided for community members.