On December 8th, over 500 neighbors and friends gathered for the highly anticipated 2024 Chateau Elan Christmas Tour of Homes, eager to stroll into the magic of the season and experience the beautifully decorated homes. Six incredibly generous homeowners warmly opened their doors to the community, showcasing their festive spirit. A heartfelt thank you to Chuvalo and Clara Truesdell, Doug and Janet Buchanan, Bryan and Noreen Zulaica, Jason Moore, Jean Easton, and Donny and Kristine Smith for their gracious hospitality.

This year’s event had a special purpose, as the homeowners proudly supported two local charities chosen by the event committee: Street Grace and Lighthouse Family Retreat. The tour raised nearly $65,000, with all proceeds being split between these two amazing 501(c)(3) organizations. 

Street Grace is a nonprofit working tirelessly to combat the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) through innovative technology, strategic programs, and policy expertise. Their mission to disrupt the demand for this illegal industry is both urgent and impactful. For more information, visit www.streetgrace.org.

Lighthouse Family Retreat, a faith-based nonprofit, offers strength and hope to families navigating the challenges of childhood cancer. Through their restorative retreats and invaluable resources, they provide the support families need to find encouragement and joy during difficult times. To learn more, visit www.lighthousefamilyretreat.org.

This enchanting event was made possible thanks to the incredible support of presenting sponsors Northeast Georgia Motorsports and Stroll Chateau Elan, along with 15 other generous sponsors including Chateau Elan Realty, Lady Landscape, Bob & Mary Clingan, Potts Family Meats, Peach State Bank & Trust, John F. Pennebaker Co., Inc., FernGully Landscapes, John & Jan Buchanan, Top Floors Carpet ONE, Premier Building Systems, Inc., Perimeter Roofing, Sterling Residential, Braselton Rotary Club, The Telford Family Foundation, and the RE/MAX Legends SellsMoore Team for helping bring the holiday cheer to life!

The festivities kicked off on Thursday with an appreciation dinner at the Legends, where homeowners, lead hostesses, and premier sponsors came together to learn more about the charities and their efforts. On Saturday, Hostess teams, Committee members, Christmas Shop vendors, and sponsors were treated to an exclusive "pre-tour" of the homes before the big event, ensuring they got to enjoy all the beautifully decorated spaces. The grand finale arrived on Sunday from 12-6 PM, with the official Christmas Tour of Homes! The team coordinated with Sarazens to offer a delicious brunch and Santa himself was available in the Sarazens Pavilion for photos!

A big thank you to the entire Chateau Elan community for their generous time and effort in making this event such a spectacular success! We couldn't have done it without our wonderful sponsors, vendors, and more than 65 volunteers who helped bring the magic of the season to life. Resident Leigh Ann Paugh served as chairwoman, working alongside a dedicated team of hostess leads: Dale Golden, Kimberly Miller, Carol Carson, Darlene Mallory, Melba Piedrahita, and Michelle Howell. Special thanks to Sue Wyatt and Jan Varner for their efforts in organizing the Christmas Shop and Silent Auction, and to Ray and Gwen Stanley’s team for ensuring a smooth check-in process. The Christmas Shop featured 12 fabulous vendors, including residents Kelly Harms, Melissa Crisp, Christine Farrell, and Genia Reid, as well as Stroll sponsors Lovin Florist and Piper Lillies, two talented local artists, and other wonderful local vendors. A portion of vendor proceeds helped support the event’s fundraising efforts.

The Christmas Shop also featured a fabulous silent auction, with one-of-a-kind items like an NBA Experience with Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O'Neal, a Chateau Elan package, a pizza oven, and much more!

A special thank you to Barclay Carson Photography for capturing the stunning beauty of the homes and to Isreal Saari for his incredible drone footage, offering a unique sneak peek. Visit the Facebook page below to view the full photo gallery and drone video coverage of each home!

For more information, check out the 2024 Chateau Elan Christmas Tour of Homes Facebook page. Be sure to like and follow for updates on the 2025 Tour – we already have many residents eager to showcase their homes next year! If you'd like to participate or volunteer for 2025, please contact Leigh Ann Paugh at 205-381-6659.