The holiday season is a time for giving gifts and spending time with family. But for hundreds of Lamar County children who are victims of abuse and neglect Christmas is anything but merry. Away from their families and living in foster homes and shelters many of these kids won’t have much of a Christmas.
Thankfully, due to the combined efforts of the Texas State Guard and Lamar County First Responders hundreds of children will receive Christmas presents this year.
Judge Bill Harris, Officer Curtis Graham, Reno Chief of Police Jeremy Massey, Bailiff Jason Garret, City Attorney Stephanie Harris, and Tina Young filled carts full of toys at Walmart today to give to children.
“We received $3,000 in cash donations and around four dozens toys from the community,” said Harris. “With those donations, we were able to fill 7 carts full of toys to give to local children.”
Those toys will be distributed to children will CASA for Kids, the SAFE-T Shelter and area churches.
Each year, Paris CASA for Kids provides services to over 250 Lamar County children in foster care. The SAFE-T shelter helps 12-15 children each month who are homeless or the victims of domestic violence. Area churches quietly minister to children from families who struggle just to pay the bills. For many of these kids, the simple joy of getting toys for Christmas is often out of the question.
“This is our first year doing Operation Toy in Lamar County and it’s something the Texas State Guard started doing as they recognize the importance of children having toys for Christmas and that’s something we all wanted to be a part of.”
Operation Toy is 100% volunteer-operated by Texas State Guard members and local law enforcement officers who spend hundreds of hours each year collecting and distributing toys.
None of this is possible without the generous support of local citizens and businesses. Donations of new and gently used toys are accepted. Cash donations are always welcomed.
The toys will be delivered by December 21st.
