NEW ORLEANS — The countdown to Christmas is on, but with inflation sky-high, some families need a little extra help to make this Christmas shine just a little bit brighter.
Christmas is all about spending time with family, for kids, Christmas is also about what Santa left under the Christmas tree. Some families need a little help delivering smiles, that's why Pleasant Hill Baptist Church started handing out toys Friday.
DePaul Community Health Center is partnering with Toys for Tots Saturday, Michael Griffin with the center told WWL Louisiana, "We're giving away 1000 toys, so 1000 kids should be able to have this treat and delight."
He went on to say, "We want to make sure those kids and parents who may not have anything going up to that time period, actually have that joy of being presented a present before the Christmas holidays."
A father to five, Griffin knows the joy parents feel watching their kids open presents, saying, "Over the past few years, I've actually had my children participate in the toy giveaway, so being able to give to others and volunteer and do that work, I like to teach my kids to participate in that as well."
Bishop Candidate T. Delbert Robinson says on Sunday, Greater St. Stephen Ministries is giving away 500 gas gift cards. He said, "People are looking for hope from every end and every angle and corner of life, so for us just to give back is so key and central to our faith."
The Pastor went on to say, "Considering so many people have to go so many places during the holiday season, even beyond we want to be a blessing to that gas tank."
Chicago Philanthropist Dr. Willie Wilson donated the gift cards. All giveaways are first come first served.
Saturday's giveaway at DePaul Community Health Center (3600 Desire Parkway in New Orleans) is from 10 a.m. to noon. Sunday's giveaway is at Greater St. Stephen Ministries (600 Read Blvd., New Orleans). It starts at 10 a.m. and will run till everything is given away.