Children’s Christmas Program Extends Application Deadline to Nov. 30

Nov. 19, 2010 - PRLog -- Mobile, AL Nov. 20.  Mobile, AL Nov. 20.  Tri-Coastal Community Outreach, Inc. , a community-based nonprofit in Grand Bay, AL, will accept applications until Nov. 30 for their “On Wings of Doves” Christmas toy distribution from families living in South Alabama or Jackson County, MS. The distribution is Saturday, Dec. 18 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Oak Park Ministries, 3321 Sollie Rd, in Mobile.  Children must be present on distribution day.  

Applications may be downloaded online at www.tricoastalcommunity.org and faxed to (251) 865-9732 by Nov. 30 or picked up at Tri-Coastal at 10520 Highway 188, Grand Bay, Alabama 36541 on Nov.30.  

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.

“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.

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, call the Center 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.

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