Approximately 1,000 children a year find their Christmas merrier thanks to the St. Charles Parish Toy and Gift Fund.Created in the mid-1980s by a group of local residents and business owners, the Toy and Gift Fund takes aim at ensuring as many children as possible can enjoy receiving gifts at Christmas time. For many families, purchasing gifts during the holiday season may not be realistic for financial reasons. As the years have gone on, the Toy and Gift Fund has grown considerably and created a positive holiday experience for a large number of those families.
The St. Charles Parish school system provides names of children (from infants to 12 year-olds) whose families might be in need, while United Way of St. Charles is among those providing funding for the yearly project, which happens in early December.
Michelle Higgins, Director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, which runs the Toy and Gift Fund, said the funding received through United Way of St. Charles is used to buy toys and books for the children.
“Without United Way, we couldn’t do it. Funding, hands down, is how we put on the Toy and Gift Fund,” she said. “St. Charles Public Schools recognizes the children who have the need. Valero feeds everyone, all of the families and volunteers that day. It’s a fantastic team effort.”
Higgins said plans are already underway for this year’s event. A major toy drive is held every December in preparation for the event.
Each year, mounds of toys are stacked high on bleachers surrounding the gym walls of Edward A. Dufresne Community Center in Luling. Each of the children who attend get to participate in a fun holiday event where they can take pictures with Santa, play holiday-themed games for prizes and pick out an age appropriate book and a toy.
Higgins also credited the large number of people who volunteer to make Christmas a reality for many local children and their families.
For her, the cause is near and dear to her heart as she was born and raised in St. Charles Parish.
“It is a wonderful cause,” Higgins said. “So, to coordinate this event is a huge honor. My main goal the last three years was to make this a great experience for the children involved. I always look forward to seeing the children light up with excitement as they wait to see Santa and pick out a toy.”
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