The holidays are a time for giving. This year, we decided to give back to families who needed a little extra help this holiday season. We worked with Most Valuable Kids to invite them to the North Pole Express, a holiday event like no other.

The preparations began with shopping, wrapping, crafting and décor set-up. While all the Fast Park and Parking Company of America elves were hard at work, our unsuspecting families were getting excited for the big day but truly had no idea what was in store for them.

As Saturday approached, our elves were still hard at work making sure everything was perfect as the families began to arrive. Soon all were transported to the Woodward Theater where a curtained reveal awaited them. And as the curtain was pulled back, their trip to the North Pole Express had begun! A hot chocolate bar, candy table, crafts and more were all a part of this magical journey. 

The kids enjoyed everything from making reindeer food and picture frames to lunch and meeting Santa. And the biggest surprise? Each family received a big Santa sack full of presents from their wish lists.

“It was truly a magical day for all of us,” said Melanie Chavez, VP of construction and branding at Fast Park. “We try to do our part every year by giving back to all of the communities in which we live and work. This year, we really wanted to go big and celebrate the holiday season with those who needed it the most. Seeing the families’ faces and hearing the children cheer was as much a gift to all of us as this event was to them. We could not have been more honored to provide something that many of these families never get to experience — a holiday celebration with each other.”

Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages for a video from the event coming next week!