Help a child this Christmas
Published 6:01 am Wednesday, December 2, 2015
More than 400 children need the community’s help in making their Christmases bright.
Stephanie Walker with the area’s Operation Christmas Child program said the program benefits children age 3-14 from Brewton, East Brewton and Flomaton areas by providing clothing and toys for the holiday season.
The program partners with the Brewton Chamber of Commerce, the Brewton Police Department, Brewton Kiwanis Club and the Sportsman Club.
Stephanie Nelson |
The Brewton Standard
These angels are located on trees at Walmart.
Currently, there are hundreds of angels up for adoption at the Brewton Walmart angel tree. Those angels are labeled with the desired items wanted for Christmas.
“We are very lucky in that the Kiwanis Club and the Sportsman Club and the police department join in the effort,” Walker said. “What we really, really need help with is purchasing toys for children who are six or older. Everyone wants to buy a baby doll or a basketball, but it would benefit the program so much more, if people could buy toys for the older children.”
Each child is provided with new clothes, a new book and a toy as part of the program.
“We want to make sure that the children go back to school at the New Year with new clothes and a great feeling,” Walker said. “Around September, we send out letters asking for donations from the local community. People are very generous. We use that money to purchase the clothes.
“If you see someone at Walmart with a black garbage bag, they’re shopping for Operation Christmas Child,” she said. “We would like to ask that people give what they can and pick up a toy for a child.
“Many individuals or businesses have sponsored individual children or elderly,” she said. “ The rest of the children and elderly are shopped for by one of 43 shoppers. It is wonderful to have so many generous people who donate to this project and who give of their time to help get everything organized.”
Donations can be dropped off at the Brewton Chamber of Commerce on Douglas Avenue.
For more information about becoming a volunteer or making a donation, contact Walker at 251.236.0733.
Parents were notified if their child was selected as part of the program. Donation deadline is Dec. 11.
