By Jeanni Ritchie
There’s something about Christmas lights in Louisiana — the way they shimmer against brick buildings and century-old oaks, the way they soften even the hardest edges of the year. That same light will fill the historic Hotel Bentley this November, when the Central Louisiana Homeless Coalition (CLHC) hosts its 2nd annual A Home for Christmas fundraiser.
This year’s event will be held Thursday, November 20 at 6 PM, and promises all the sparkle and spirit of the season. Guests can expect hors d’oeuvres, live music, laughter, and fellowship — but the real highlight is the Christmas Tree Auction.
Each tree, at least seven feet tall, is lovingly decorated and donated by area businesses, churches, and individuals who believe everyone deserves a safe place to land. Some twinkle with traditional reds and golds, others shimmer with silver and snowflakes, but all carry one shared message: hope belongs to everyone.
Attendees can bid on their favorite tree during the silent auction, take part in the raffle pull, and even vote in the People’s Choice Contest, with handcrafted ornament trophies by local artist Cindy Blair.
But beneath the beauty and festivity lies a mission that matters. Every dollar raised goes directly toward helping the CLHC provide essential services — from showers, laundry, and meals to job support, transportation, and emergency shelter. For some, those services mean a warm coat or a hot meal; for others, it’s the first step toward stability and a second chance at life.
At its heart, this isn’t just a Christmas event — it’s a reminder that “home” isn’t always a place. Sometimes it’s the feeling of being seen, valued, and welcomed back into a community that still believes in you.
I’ve seen it firsthand — in my own years of homeless ministry that reminded me how quickly circumstances can shift. It’s not always poor choices or bad luck that lead to homelessness; sometimes it’s illness, loss, or the wrong twist of timing.
And sometimes it is poor choices. But who among us hasn’t made those? I’ve walked the road that should not have been taken and thank God for those who believed in the power of redemptive grace. I know the power of encouragement, kind words, and a hand up. It takes very little to give someone hope but the dividends are infinite.
This season, A Home for Christmas offers all of us a chance to give that hope back to others in need.
Join CLHC for a night of food, music, twinkling lights and laughter…to make a true difference in our community.
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at JeanniRitchie54@gmail.com.
