The Jasper Police Department is working with the Jasper Chamber of Commerce, First United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church to provide a better Christmas for Jasper kids whose parents might not be able to afford much in the way of gifts.
Warren Hildebrand, chaplain for the Jasper Police Department, said organizers are still seeking donations for two different programs they’re planning, one for younger kids up to age 13 and a second for older teens in Jasper Junior High and Jasper High School.
Hildebrand said Jasper officers are organizing their third annual Christmas Party for Kids at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at the Jasper United Methodist Church.
This event is by invitation only and will help 97 children.
“We put on a dinner for them, catered by Peggy’s Own Restaurant,” Hildebrand said. “Then every child will get a new toy. We’ve gotten dozens of donations, including remote controlled cars, footballs, dolls, Hot Wheels, things like that. What we do is we put them on a table, and the children can pick out what they want.”
Hildebrand said dozens of businesses and individuals from Jasper and Carthage have donated toys or cash to the event. Jasper Police Department has a list recognizing donors on its Facebook page.
The Jasper Police Department is also working with the First Baptist Church in Jasper to help older teens, up to age 18, have a Merry Christmas.
Hildebrand said the program is called Gift Cards for Teens, and the department and the church hope to provide these children with gift cards they can use for Christmas shopping, and present the cards to them the last day of school before Christmas break.
The department is seeking donations to provide gift cards of $15 to $25 for each of these students.
Hildebrand said donations to either of these events can be brought to the Jasper Police Department in cash or checks. Checks should be made out to Chief Chad Karr.
Donations to the Gift Cards for Kids program can be made to the police department or dropped off with Pastor Colby Bridges at the Jasper First Baptist Church on South Main Street from Tuesday-Thursday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
For more details, people can call the police department at 417-394-2599 or Chief Chad Karr at 417-483-6261, or contact the department through its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/jaspermopolice/
