SALISBURY — There will be a free community Christmas event for local schoolchildren on Dec. 17.

Ola Nwafor, 34, event organizer, said she’s always been interested in helping kids. At the beginning of the school year, Nwafor held a back-to-school giveaway benefiting seven local families. That, as well as completing Salisbury’s Citizen Academy, inspired her to hold the Christmas event.

“I think that there was a need around here for the kids — for the community to come together for the kids, not just for one organization,” she said.

Nwafor said she felt that events for children often put a lot of focus on the organization itself, instead of the children and the partnership of the community.

“In order for us to grow I felt that the community should come together,” she said.

The event, which will feature games, music and gifts, has been sponsored by several businesses and community organizations including: Thelma’s, Cracker Barrel, Food Lion, Wink’s Barbecue, City Nails, Harris Teeter, Pure Platinum Bike Club and local police and fire departments.

“I had a whole lot of support from the community on this event,” she said.

Part of the event’s goal is to let children know that they are loved and supported by their community, so that they are more likely to stay there as they grow older.

“I feel if we catch kids at that age we can help them become productive adults,” she said. “Like if we stay with them at that age, to become good role models for them.”

The event will be on Saturday, Dec. 17, at East Square Artworks from 6 pm. to 9 p.m. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to attend. The event is free.