CHARLESTON -- The Appalachian Center For Independent Living celebrates Christmas Saturday. A bluegrass band, food and crafts were all part of the Center's Ninth Annual Community Christmas Party at the National Guard Armory. More than 200 took part in the festivities. Organizers say the party has two functions, informing the public about the Appalachian Center For Independent Living and socialization.

"It's a time where people tend to get depressed if they don't have a lot of family support, and this is a way to kind of eliminate a little bit of that and give people a sense of belonging to a group," says Larry Paxton, Executive Director of the Appalachian Center for Independent Living. Paxton says the event is also a fundraiser to help put on the Christmas party every year.