On the Bright Side
Posts
Passport to the North Pole is here!

Passport to the North Pole is here!

December 15, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

☀️SBC! We’ve been gearing up for our FIRST community event, Passport to the North Pole, and IT IS FINALLY HERE! Dec. 20, 1-5PM @ Mall St. Vincent!

Expect Santa, Mrs. Claus, Bingo with the Grinch, elves, bike giveaways, and our latest attraction: the North Pole Express: Holiday Train, sponsored by Shreveport Citizens United!

We are accepting unwrapped toy donations for Roy’s Kids at this event!
Donate a toy. Land in a drawing!

🎉Thanks to everyone who has shared our Facebook event; y’all made it so much fun to see! As promised, we picked a winner for the On the Bright Side gift basket, and Brandy Brewster snagged it. 🥳 Congrats, Brandy!

Huge shoutout to our event sponsors! Follow our Facebook page for the event schedule!

_{P.S. If you’d like to volunteer for this event, hit reply and let me know! :)}

In this edition, we’ll shine light on:

Supporting our local mall
Getting house deep cleaned before everyone shows up
Max’s Christmas Extravaganza

Let’s get our shine on!

Sponsored by Mall St. Vincent

This week, we’re excited to spotlight Mall St. Vincent, whose new team works daily to create a fun, safe, and welcoming environment. We’re so thankful for their partnership with On the Bright Side, helping bring Christmas back to life and for letting us host this weekend’s Passport to the North Pole! 🎄

Finish your holiday shopping with ease; Mall St. Vincent has something for everyone!

Bath & Body Works
Victoria’s Secret
Dillard’s
Foot Locker
Journeys
…and more!

Food Stops:

Auntie Anne’s (still just as good as ever!)
Totally Taters
Piccadilly
Dough Boys Pizza

Follow Mall St. Vincent on social media to stay updated on exciting changes coming in 2026. The community’s support means a lot! Looking ahead, the Ochsner LSU Cardiovascular Research Center is expected to open in 2027 in the old Sears, bringing even more energy to the area.

If you still have holiday shopping to finish, this week is the perfect time to do it, right at Mall St. Vincent.

_{Want to put your business out there? Send it}_here.

Partnered with Prestige Home Cleaning

When someone steps into your home, you want to know they’re trained, trustworthy, and doing things the right way. That’s exactly how Prestige Home Cleaning operates. Licensed, bonded, insured, and professionally trained, their team brings peace of mind with every clean.

This season, skip the cluttered gifts. A clean home brings lasting joy. Perfect for new parents, busy families, teachers, aging loved ones, or anyone who could use a break. 🙋🏼‍♀️

📞 Prestige Home Cleaning: 318-775-9500

Local Spotlight: Max’s Christmas Extravaganza

Max Robinson, 14 years old, is already making a huge impact in our community! Every December, Max turns the yard at 5830 Northwood Oaks into a festive wonderland, decorating his yard to bless neighbors and passersby, completely free of charge. His only ask? Donations towards his organization of choice and this year, he’s asking for donations directed towards Ronald McDonald House, continuing his tradition of giving back.

Max’s heart for service started early. Over the past few years, he has teamed up with local organizations and school clubs like Key Club, Student Council, Patriot PAL, and FCA to make a difference:

Roy’s Kids: Collected ~70 toys for children
The Hub: Donated ~200 articles of clothing
Food Bank: Raised $3,000 and nearly 1,000 lbs of food
Ronald McDonald House: $3,600 raised previously; $1,089 raised so far this year

Max’s generosity has even earned him a spot on the Wall of New Ronald McDonald House supporters. His dedication to spreading holiday cheer and supporting families in need is an inspiring reminder that one young person truly can make a difference. Stop by before December 25th to enjoy the Christmas cheer and join in supporting a great cause!

☀️ This Week’s Happy Highlights

Holiday Cheer at Smile Run

The 41st annual Barney Cannon Smile Run brought holiday cheer to kids at Shriners Hospital in Shreveport as police, firefighters, and Santa delivered toys and smiles to children facing tough medical challenges. Families shared joy and gratitude, celebrating tradition and community love during the season. Events like these remind us of the true spirit of giving and togetherness, bringing big smiles where they’re needed most.

Photo creds: Shreveport Police Department Facebook

Caddo Parish Toys for Tots

Caddo Parish celebrated the 24th annual Toys for Tots campaign, donating hundreds of toys to the U.S. Marines to brighten the holidays for children in need. Parish employees collected gifts for months, bringing joy to families and reminding everyone of the true spirit of giving.

Local Places Open up for the Chilly Winter Ahead

It’s getting COLD- please share this where it is needed to our community!

Source: SCU Facebook

✍🏼 Side Notes & City Talk

Shreveport police have fully moved out of their century-old headquarters on Texas Avenue. The move allows the city to move forward with plans to renovate or rebuild the historic building.

The Shreveport City Council approved a resolution to establish a nonprofit corporation to help advance Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s vision for a film and entertainment hub in the city, bringing his long‑term plans closer to reality.

The City of Shreveport is offering eligible residents free installation of motion-activated floodlights and a deadbolt lock as part of Operation Safe Neighborhoods Phase II, helping homeowners enhance personal and neighborhood safety. Equipment and labor are provided at no cost while supplies last.

💡 Bright Side Smarts 💡
Test your SBC smarts and win!

Here’s how it works:
📅 We post a local fun fact every weekend on our Facebook page.
❓ On Monday, we drop a trivia question here in the newsletter.
🎁 Answer right = You could win!

This Week’s Question:

Where did Michelle Pennington first start blowing glass, and what class eventually changed her career and led to High Gravity Glassworks?

👉 Not sure what the answer is? Click here if you need a cheat sheet. Good luck!

Events of the Week
sponsored by

Check out local events this week here!

_{Have an upcoming event you’d like to promote? Send it in}_here!

LIVE MUSIC LINEUP

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Have a Blessed Week, SBC!

Love what you got?

Psalms 56:3