The Gates hosts Holiday Fest 2024
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) recently helped make the holidays a little brighter by playing Santa Claus for several local youngsters.
Taking the children to “Shop with a Deputy” for Christmas presents just prior to the big day, the event was about both giving and receiving. The children and lawenforcement staff went to a local retailer to purchase items for themselves and for their immediate family members.
After the shopping trip, all of the children voted to have a McDonald’s Happy Meal to celebrate Christmas. The special day ended with full bellies, full stockings and full hearts.
Holiday Fest 2024 at The Gates “The Gathering Place” in Blackshear was a huge success as hundreds of children picked out their Christmas toys, took pictures with Santa (otherwise known as David Sweat) and went for reindeer rides with George Sweat, both of Blackshear.
Over 50 families were also served a food box and free hot food. The Gates community expressed thanks to host Dr. Deborah Brown and Pastor Terrell Reynolds.
Toy Drive sponsors included Action Pact of Blackshear and Waycross’s Lachandra Lockey (organizer), Dairy Queen of Blackshear, CBR Equipment Rental, City of Waycross Business Integration and Information Systems Director Patrick Simmons, Yeung Nails, Waycross, New Life Support and Services, Mary Jenkins of Miami, FL, State Farm Alexis Harris of Ft. Lauderdale and Gathering of Warriors Fellowship. Much appreciation was also shown to “our Power Team” of Marie Champagne, Lachandra Lockey, Virginia Hays, Bertie Allen and Ena Williams on a job well done! A special thanks was also offered to The Times editor Jason Deal and The Blackshear Times.
With Christmas situated, The Gates have their sights set on New Year’s with another toy give away from 1:30-3 p.m. Saturday January 4, at 6014 Homestead Road in Blackshear, the first 50 kids will receive a toy to start off a happy 2025.
Shown above (not in order) are Chase Stephens, Baylee Stephens, Ayden Moon, Christopher Clayton, Jeremy Moon, Zion Lyons, Zayden McCumbers, Lydia Rice, Jose Marties Cus, Lucia Rice, Nicholas Moon, Summer Dorris, German Martinuz Cruz and Christian Salas with deputies.
Deputy Travis Courson jokes around with Jeremy Moon as they stand in line at checkout, waiting to pay for Christmas gifts for the youngster and his immediate family.
Dr. Deborah Brown and Santa David Sweat.
In addition to Christmas gifts and free food, kids got to enjoy a variety of bounce houses, arcade games and (above) bumper cars.
Probation Officer Ashley Nettles is shown with Chase Stephens.
