Operation Santa Claus Brings in $1,500

Thanks for joining The Christmas Station, 96.5 KVKI and Erin McCarty for Friday's Operation Santa Claus remote. Erin talked on the radio about an emotional incident that happened to her at the remote Friday morning.
This lady who years ago was destitute around Christmas was helped by Operation Santa Claus, which provided Christmas toys for her children. She decided to return the favor this year, bringing by a donation.
Erin and 96.5, KVKI were broadcasting from the Brookshires parking lot at the corner of Mansfield Road and Bert Kouns. According to Shreveport Fire Inspector Jeff Williams, we collected cash donations of about $1,500 not to mention a van load of new toys for local less fortunate children in Shreveport/Bossier.

A special thank you to Donna for donating two $100 dollar bills to buy toys for needy children.

Gerald Brumley, one of the biggest LSU Tigers fans of all time, also came by with a cash donation. He's got tickets to the No. 1 LSU Tigers' BCS National Championship bowl game against Alabama at the Superdome Jan. 9th. How cool is that?
And probably the most special moment for me was when we first arrived and two sisters, Rebekah and Elizabeth showed up with their mother and grandma, with bags of toys. It looked as though they had bought out Walmart or ToysRUs.

They had several bags of toys that included a Bratz doll, several Barbie Dolls, Tonka trucks, a Candy Land game, two Build A Bear toys, and other games and toys that totally filled up the table. It's a special way that they enjoy the true gift-giving meaning of Christmas each year.

My LSU baseball cap is off to their Mom and Grandma for teaching them this precious lesson. If every parent and grandparent did this, there would be no shortage of Christmas gifts for anyone.

Monday morning, The Christmas Station, 96.5 KVKI, will be back out with Operation Santa Claus. This time at the Brookshires on Hwy. 80 in Haughton from 7-9.

We'll be collecting toys and monetary donations again. So, if you haven't had the opportunity to donate to Operation Santa Claus you can then. Or, you can come by the KVKI studios at Townsquare Media at 6341 Westport Avenue in Shreveport between 8 am and 5 pm Monday-Thursday.

This Thursday is the last day we'll be accepting toy and money donations. It's also the day of the Barney Cannon Smile run, when we'll take your toys to children in two local hospitals here in Shreveport/Bossier.

Merry Christmas and thanks for helping us out with Operation Santa Claus. It truly is more blessed to give than to receive.

You can also sponsor a child for Christmas by calling 687-gift, 687-4438. Or, donate online by going to the Operation Santa Claus website at osccaddobossier.com.