For many kids, Christmas is embraced as a season and not just one day. Still, when it comes to Christmas morning, children all over Lamar County wake knowing that Santa was out delivering gifts throughout the night.
However, for hundreds of local children who are victims of abuse and neglect, Christmas brings new challenges as sometimes they can feel that they may not be worthy of such delight.
Thankfully, with the team efforts of the Texas State Guard and Lamar County first responders, volunteers; hundreds of children are set to receive Christmas presents this year.
“Each year the Texas State Guard conducts a state-wide toy drive to collect toys for children. In Paris/Lamar County this year we purchased and distributed toys through local churches and CASA for Kids,” said Bill Harris, Texas State Guard Captain and assigned JAG officer to 1st Brigade Headquarters.
Harris said this year residents and businesses of Lamar County were, as usual, exceptionally generous in their donations of money and toys.
Because of such donations, the team was able to deliver nearly 1,500 toys to children who might otherwise not have had a present to open on Christmas morning.
“While all of our donors are important, special recognition this year to Chris Parris and Big Boy Memorabilia here in Paris who was our largest donor and made so many of our purchases possible,” said Harris. “Also many thanks to Megan Mitchell who helped select, load and deliver and Pastor Shay Bills who helped identify those churches and families who needed toys for Christmas.”
