The Christmas season is here, and the Minden Civitan Club and Young Woman’s Service Club are once again joining forces to make the holidays a little brighter for children in need through the annual “Civitan Santa” toy program.
Each year, the organizations collect new toys and monetary donations to provide Christmas gifts for children throughout Minden and South Webster Parish. With help from the community, the program ensures that hundreds of local children have presents to look forward to on Christmas morning.
Last year, Civitan Santa provided toys for children in more than 141 families in the Minden and South Webster Parish area. Organizers hope the community will once again open its hearts to help make this year’s effort a success.
Toy Chairman Ed LaBruyere emphasized the importance of community generosity in a letter sent to area businesses requesting their support.
“We try to provide at least one new toy for each of the children who would have nothing,” LaBruyere wrote. “It is only with your generous contributions that this program can provide this wonderful service for our local children.”
New toys may be delivered to the Minden Police Department or given to any Civitan Club member. Several local businesses will also have collection boxes available for those wishing to donate.
Monetary contributions may be mailed to the Minden Civitan Club, P.O. Box 95, Minden, LA 71058. Donations may also be given to members of the Civitan Club or Young Woman’s Service Club. Checks should be made payable to the Civitan International Foundation.
Families needing assistance may pick up application forms at the Minden Police Department or Webster Community Action offices. The program serves children through age 13, and applications must be received by December 14 to allow time for gifts to be prepared and delivered before Christmas.
Members of the Minden Police Department and Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office will assist with delivering toys to families just before Christmas.
LaBruyere expressed appreciation for the businesses, organizations, and individuals who have supported the program over the years and encouraged everyone to consider contributing again this holiday season.
For additional information, residents may contact Janet LaBruyere at 318-426-5399 or Roger Grubbs at 318-422-7564.
Whether through the donation of a new toy or a financial contribution, every gift helps Civitan Santa bring a little more Christmas cheer to children in the community.