LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Dust of Hope Mission and County Commissioner Scott Kitts will be holding a Christmas event for the community on Wed., Dec. 22, at the Dewey Hunter Center in LaFollette beginning at 9 a.m. Dust of Hope will be doing free Santa pics and providing hot cocoa and cookies. There will be an area for children to listen to Christmas stories as well as play games.

According to Kim Derry Leonard with Dust of Hope, the mission has used donations and purchased $1,000 worth of toys and will be handing them out tomorrow morning. She said the mission was able to purchase the toys wholesale and have a lot of toys to give out. 

“We are so grateful for all the donations and for Tonya Williamson who helps us with getting the toys wholesale; we couldn’t do it without all the support,” Leonard said. 

Commissioner Scott Kitts will be giving out more than 350 $15 Walmart gift cards and Pokemon cards while supplies last. You must have proof of guardianship in order for your child to receive these prizes, according to organizers.

Kitts said he wanted to do something to give back to the community, especially to help local kids get Christmas presents and have a happy Christmas. 

“It’s all about the kids” Kitts said. 

According to Derry Leonard, the event is free and open to the public. Free will donations to help the mission are welcome but not required. 

“Nothing costs any money. We just want the county to have a good Christmas,”  Leonard said. 

This event is Sponsored by Dust of Hope Mission, 2nd District County Commissioner Scott Kitts, Confidence Construction, JR’s Tires, Big Rock Tavern, Logan’s Car Wash, Royal Blue RV Park off exit 141 (behind the big white cross) and Lacey’s Cakes. 

Organizers also want to thank The Local (Carla Bruce Bolton),  Burke’s ( Tonya Stooksbury ), and Edward Jones Financial Services ( Zacherly K. Sheets ) for holding a toy drive for the event and The Hope Tree.

Other contributors Commissioner Scott Kitts wanted to thank for their support are LaFollette Recreation Director and School Board Chairman Johnny Byrge, the City of LaFollette, Dixie Roofing, Woodson’s Cash Stores, Jaylynn Kitts and JR’s Tires, Steve and Judy Tinch, The Lonnie Hatmaker Coal Company, Brian Leach and Grace Rehab, Byrge Screen Printing, Pete’s Body Shop, Debbie Farmer with Benefits Advisory Group and Teresa Murphy formerly of LaFollette, now residing in California, along with Chuck and Bill Queener of LaFollette, Campbell County Mayor E.L. Morton and Jennifer Wilson with Big Rock Tavern.

“We would like to thank these sponsors and our community for all they have done and are doing for this event! Y’all are amazing!  We would like to thank God for all he does! All the doors he opens and allowing us to do his work! I would like to thank all the volunteers of Dust of Hope that has worked long and hard all month to pull off this event and our Hope Tree,” Derry Leonard said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-12/21/2021-6AM)

Related