Melwood Presents Miracle on 23rd Street

The time-honored Arlington holiday tradition, Miracle on 23rd Street, returns this year on December 6 in Crystal City and is better than ever.

Last year more than 400 neighbors and families from across the area kicked off the holiday season with Miracle’s festive community tree lighting and pictures with Santa Claus. Plus, this year Melwood will be offering “Poinsettias with a Cause” grown by individuals of differing abilities for just $10 (supplied will be limited).

Melwood, one of the leading nonprofit employers of people of differing abilities and wounded veterans in the Greater Washington D.C. area, is pleased to host this event which has run for more than 50 years. This year we are also announcing a new partnership with the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), so please bring canned food to donate at the event.

“Melwood is proud to keep the Miracle tradition alive and make it even better this year.” said Cari DeSantis, President and CEO of Melwood. “This is our neighborhood and we are excited to be a part of this vibrant community. This past year, we started abilIT on this campus, an innovative program to train individuals of differing abilities and injured veterans for high-demand IT jobs.”

The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 6, at 750 23rd Street South in Crystal City. Admission is free and you can register at this site.

The celebration begins with the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree and the much-anticipated arrival of Santa, escorted by Arlington’s Police and Fire Departments. Photo opportunities with Saint Nick, face painting, hot cocoa, cookies, virtual reality experience and sales of poinsettias grown by our individuals of differing abilities will all be part of the festivities.

For 55 years, Melwood has offered job placement, job training, life skills for independence and support services to nearly 2,600 people each year in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. To learn more about abilIT or apply to our program, see here.