The White Doves Holiday Project once again will present a heartwarming evening of entertainment for its annual grand opening at the Martin County Fairgrounds.

The grand opening of the “White Doves Warehouse” will start at 5 p.m. Nov. 28 between Buildings B and C of the Fairgrounds. It marks the 19th year of White Doves in Martin County.

This year, the festivities include performances by Florida Arts and Dance and the Warfield Elementary Chorus.

Beth Elias of WPTV-Channel 5 will be the emcee. Plus, Santa Claus will arrive in an antique fire engine, thanks to Martin County Fire-Rescue. Food and beverages will be served.

Major sponsors of the grand opening include George and Dana Coates of Eventmakers and White Doves co-chairs Tom and Lisa Haley of Buy the Hour Builders and Body Sculpting of South Florida.

In addition to enjoying the entertainment and refreshments, attendees will have a chance to get acquainted with one of the largest volunteer efforts in Martin County.

“The grand opening is truly an uplifting event,” said project coordinator Anne Lalley. “We encourage people to come and enjoy the festivities and learn more about White Doves.”

ABOUT WHITE DOVES

The White Doves Holiday Project serves as a central clearinghouse for donated food and toys at holiday time. The massive undertaking is a project of Martin Volunteers and pools the resources of dozens of volunteers, community groups, agencies, families, businesses and faith-based and civic organizations.

Martin Volunteers, is a program of United Way of Martin County.

White Doves Holiday Project is expecting to serve about 1,300 Martin County families this year. Depending on amount of donations that White Doves receives, families get to choose two to four toys per child and receive the staples for a holiday meal.

Most of the nonperishable food comes from the Boy Scouts’ Scouting for Food drive on Nov. 10. Thousands of toys are donated at Toys for Tots collection points throughout the county. White Doves is the local coordinating organization for the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots drive in Martin County.

Donations of food, toys, holiday decorations and money can be dropped off at the White Doves warehouse, Building B at the Martin County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, Nov. 12-Dec. 18.

Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation may send it to White Doves Holiday Project, PO Box 362, Stuart, FL 34995.

More information is available at www.martinvolunteers.org/whitedoves or by calling (772) 220-4472.