Community Children’s Christmas Toy Program Set Dec. 18

Nov. 16, 2010 - PRLog -- Mobile, AL Nov. 15, 2010.  Tri-Coastal Community Outreach, Inc. of Grand Bay, AL, will once again make Christmas holiday a true time of giving and sharing when over 400 children from  the Gulf Coast region, including Mobile and Baldwin Counties, as well as Jackson, Hancock and Harrison Counties, MS, will spend time with Santa’s elves at the “On Wings of Doves” children’s Christmas gift distribution on Saturday, Dec. 18, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Oak Park Ministries, 3321 Sollie Rd, in Mobile.  

Applications can be picked up at Tri-Coastal at 10520 Highway 188, Grand Bay, Alabama 36541 or downloaded online at www.tricoastalcommunity.org and faxed to the Center at (251) 865-9732 by Nov. 19.

“We are in need of many items to help the children have a wonderful Christmas, and are asking the Gulf Coast community businesses and churches to respond generously through their donations of toys, clothing and food,” said Carolyn Thompson, executive director.  “The need is even greater and it will only get worse in days to come,” said Thompson.  “If we can offer a little bit of hope for the kids, then we have given some hope to the family.”

This year, the Center is in need of new unwrapped toys for children of all ages (especially electronics for teenagers), bicycles, dolls, cars and trucks, sports balls of all types, board games, coats, shoes, hats and gloves, cosmetics, purses, and stuffed animals.

The program is unique in that each child, even toddlers, are given ten ‘tickets’ to do their own shopping and come into the “secret shopping’ area without their parents.  Parents with toddlers give information to the ‘elf’ about what the young child may need and sizes.  
“We are in need of Santa’s elves to help pack supplies for the distribution and to help at the Christmas distribution, caroling groups to sing songs, and homemade Christmas cookies to pass out,” said Thompson.  “And, we are looking for Santa Claus to pay us a visit,” Carolyn said.

Donations may be dropped off at Tri-Coastal, 10520 Highway 188 in Grand Bay or at Gifts & Thrift on 12851 Highway 90 South, Ste. 3.  Groups may make arrangements with the Center, if they are making a large donation.  Donations will be accepted through Saturday, Dec. 11.

    In 2009, Tri-Coastal provided 500 children with toys through “On Wings of Doves” Children’s Christmas Assistance Program; served over 10,000 individuals and families throughout the Gulf Coast region; conducted over 100 classes and workshops to empower over 150 citizens to take care of themselves and become self-sufficient; and provided food boxes and turkeys for 125 families for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

       For more information about donations or volunteering, contact LaTonya Wells at (251) 865-9731 or Carolyn Thompson, at (228) 623-0017.

About Tri-Coastal Community Outreach, Inc.
Celebrating their fifth anniversary in September, Tri-Coastal Community Outreach, Inc. continues to   provide multi-cultural, holistic, supportive and diversified social services to needy and underprivileged individuals and families along the Gulf Coast communities of Alabama and Mississippi.  Since its inception, the organization has served over 45,000 individuals through their core programs including weekly food, personal hygiene and clothing distribution, health literacy education, It's All About You"  teaching educational self-sufficiency, Project School Box, Successful Start, and On Wings of Doves Christmas toy and gift distribution, and Gifts & Thrift. For more information, visit www.tricoastalcommunity.org

Media Contact:
Sher Graham
BC2P, Mobile, AL
(251) 404-3924      sherrie@baycoastcp.com