On the 12th day of Christmas, Hope House gave to me: A fun event, and a few deals

Gather with friends for a night of socializing, sipping and taking advantage of special deals, all while putting money toward a great cause.

The 12-ish Bars of Christmas is celebrating its eighth year from 2 to 11 p.m. on Dec. 11 in downtown Lee’s Summit. The event will bring the community together for a night of fun while supporting Hope House, an organization that provides domestic violence victims with shelter and comprehensive services such as therapy and outreach programs. All proceeds from the event are donated to Hope House to provide programming and other resources.

Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street Vice President Courtney Stoddard said that this year’s goal is to raise at least $30,000.

“This event is fantastic in so many ways,” Stoddard said. “It’s great because there’s always people who come back year after year, not only from Lee’s Summit, but even from Overland Park and Leawood. It’s grown exponentially, and it’s so amazing to see what our money can do for Hope House. And people love to come out to show their support for such a great cause.”

CEO of Hope House MaryAnne Metheny is extremely appreciative of the support Hope House has received over the past several years.

“The financial support is incredible, and is a big piece of what we need,” Metheny said. “However, this event also brings a lot of awareness about Hope House, and the issues of domestic violence, which is more important.”

Hope House service recipients are grateful for the community members who contribute to the cause, Metheny said. Most victims say that Hope House is the reason they are alive, and that their services helped them through the most difficult time in their life, she said.

“Everyone has such a good time,” she said. “People are out and about, celebrating the holidays, while knowing that they’re helping save lives. It’s all around a great thing — a way to have fun and come together, while helping those who are in need.”

Boulevard Brewing Company, this year’s main sponsor, is supplying lanyards, posters and other memorabilia, while offering deals on beers. Bars will also have their own specials to attract more people to the event, Stoddard said.

Tickets are available through Dec. 11. Visit Hope House ticket site for more information and to purchase tickets.

This story was originally published December 7, 2021 at 5:00 AM.