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Andalusia Community Christmas provided 240 Christmas gifts to local boys and girls from the elementary schools of Andalusia, Pleasant Home, Red Level, and Straughn this year.

Chairman Gail Hayes expressed gratitude to the Board of Directors and workers for helping make this year’s event a success.

“It is most heartwarming to realize that the community gave with such generosity. So many people were involved by buying gifts, donating money, registering kids, formatting the databases, collecting and organizing packages, and making sure that every child was accounted for shopping for the kids,” Hayes said.

A Christmas party took place Friday, Dec. 13, at the Kiwanis Community Center.

“We were able to host our annual Christmas party thanks to so many individuals, civic clubs, Andalusia High School and LBW Community College students, businesses, foundations and others that made a difference in the lives of so many kids, and their families this Christmas season. Thank you to the Andalusia Full Gospel Tabernacle puppet team for entertainment during the party. We all look forward to doing this again next year,” Hayes added.

The Pilot Club of Andalusia also participated in the program. Each child who won a bicycle during the Christmas party received a complimentary helmet from the Pilot Club. A total of 125 bicycles were given out during the party.

“What a blessing it is to be a part of the Andalusia Community Christmas. There were so many sweet smiles of happy children with their new wheels. We were blessed to be a part of this year’s event as we are every year. The Pilot Club is always grateful to give back to our community,” Pilot Club President Shauna Robertson said.

Andalusia Community Christmas is a non-profit annual program funded by the citizens, businesses and civic clubs of Andalusia. The program assists families in financial crisis who live in the Andalusia, Straughn, Red Level and Pleasant Home School districts by providing toys and clothing for children ages of two through 10-years-old.

Registration was held on Nov. 2 for this year’s event. Guidelines must be met in order for children to qualify each year.

Tax-deductible contributions can also be mailed to Andalusia Community Christmas, Inc., P.O. Box 1525, Andalusia, AL 36420. FEIN# 20-0211790