Parsons Annual Children’s Holiday Bash Gave Pasadena Area Foster Youth Happy Holiday Memories

Parsons employees and over 100 of Pasadena’s foster youth came together in the name of the holiday spirit over good food, good music and photo booth fun at the company’s 41st annual Children’s Holiday Party that brought kids from Five Acres in Altadena and Hillsides and Rosemary Children’s Services to the company headquarters Thursday morning to kick off the festive season.

“Parsons and our employees are fortunate to have one of the greatest gifts of all—the opportunity to give local foster youth happy holiday memories,” said Erin Kuhlman, Parsons Corporate Vice President, Marketing & Communications.

The four-decades-long tradition is truly a company affair, having been created and continued by the dedicated employees that aim to give back and leave a lasting impression of compassion for local foster youth.

Each year, Parsons employees personally donate gifts to make the holiday season happier for numerous children. This year, with the help of its team of professionals, Parsons distributed more than 240 gift cards to children from Five Acres, Hathaway-Sycamores, Hillsides, and Rosemary Children’s Services—all Pasadena non-profits that provide services for at-risk and foster youth in the area.

“It’s really important to Parsons because December is a special time for us with all of the holiday events and we want the children who may not have as great of an opportunity right now to really have fun and it’s really something nice that we can give back to the community that we are a member of,” said Parsons Corporation Vice Chairman and Chief Risk Advisor Tom Roell.

The special holiday performance was curated for the 14th consecutive year by Rachael Worby, MUSE/IQUE Artistic Director and Conductor. The musical performance “Holiday Doo-Wop” featured high energy harmonies from Street Corner Renaissance (SCR), a five-man Los Angeles-based A ’Capella group who competed in season 4 of NBC’s “The Sing Off” and placed in the top four.

Maurice Kitchen, Torrance Brannon Reese, Kwame Alexander, Anthony “Tony” Snead, and Charles “Sonny” Banks will entertain the children with their infectious spirit and interactive street corner experience, singing a mix of hits from old-school to modern-day.

“Our mission is to provide great live music to everyone on the planet and what better way to start than with these young people who are joining us here today? If live music is the basis human right of every person, then these kids count to,” said Worby.

Following the lively performances the kids were treated to treated to a yummy assortment of hot dogs, hamburgers, tacos, popcorn, and cookies for lunch and took turns posing for the festive photo booth courtesy of Parsons.