NORTHWEST ARKANSAS (KFSM)-- For families in Northwest Arkansas who struggle financially around the holidays, one local non-profit is working to give them the gift of holiday family portrait.
"We love it," Sabrina Zalsman said. "The pictures are great, the photographers are phenomenal."
Zalsman and her family were one of around 100 families that took advantage of the free holiday portraits. The event was put on by the group "Help Portrait," where photographers and editors volunteer their time to capture the memories.
Organizer Eric Gorder said the families who attend the photography session get a little more than just a picture.
"They get a meal or two, depending on how long they're here," Gorder said. "They'll get a hygiene kit and a frame, and a CD with images of their photograph session."
He said the group has been holding the free sessions for several years. This year there were two locations for the event-- one in Springdale, and one at Fayetteville High School. Gorder said the volunteers are what make the event possible.
"People come and they typically have an 'ah-ha' moment where they are actually getting more out of this than the people that are receiving the images," Gorder said.
Fayetteville mom Andrea Lewis said at a time when money can be tight, something as simple as a picture can mean so much.
"It's a wonderful ministry and a lot of families from around the area don't get to have professional photography done for them," Lewis said. "So to be able to come here and have all of these photographers pay extra attention to them is just wonderful."
The event in Springdale Saturday (Dec. 5) was staffed by volunteers with the Photographic Society of Northwest Arkansas.