“Operation Win for Kids,” a project of a Louisville, Ky.-based children’s non-profit charitable group, has a toy-filled 18-wheeler en route to Biloxi for a Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 10 in a neighborhood park on Benachi Avenue, just east of the Lopez-Quave Public Safety Center.
The party, which would move inside the public safety center in the event of inclement weather, will begin at 10 a.m. and promises toys, tasty treats and a chance for child survivors of Katrina to meet two former pro football players.
The Winner’s Circle for Children Inc. held a toy and clothing drive, called ‘Operation Win for Kids,” for the child survivors of Hurricane Katrina in Louisville from September to November.
“We are proud to say that we have collected more than $75,000 worth of brand new toys, children’s items and lots of tasty treats,” said Winner’s Circle President Sandy Williams. “Biloxi was our place of choice to distribute the items as we felt the children in Mississippi needed something special.”
Mayor A.J. Holloway suggested the Christmas party and toy giveaway. Said Williams: “We were made aware that many children would receive very little if anything for Christmas and these toys and goodies will give them a much needed diversion.”
On hand to sign autographs at the party Saturday will be Troy Drayton, a former tight end with the St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers; and Reggie Givens, former linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers.
Also scheduled to appear at the party are Santa Claus and Rosie Posie, the Winner’s Circle literacy mascot.
Among the sponsors Winner’s Circle lined up to support the Saturday party are Geoffrey’s Toys R US, Ryder Logistics and Transportation Solutions Worldwide, FedEx Kinko’s, WAVE-TV 3, Office Depot, National City Banks, Beauty First, Jelly Belly Candy Co., Dole Foods, McKee Foods Company, Stewart Candies, Color-a-Cookie Co., Wally Amos (Uncle Wally’s Muffins), Big Red Bottling Co., Brighter Child Interactive, Farley and Sathers Candy Co., Maximus Book Co., Caufield’s Novelty Co., Merrick Printing, and Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino.
The Winner’s Circle for Children Inc. is a non-profit children’s charitable organization that promotes youth literacy and healthy physical well-being to the children of the uniformed services as well as special-needs children associated with various charitable endeavors. The group has also established a community outreach program, “Operation Win for Kids,” to provide disaster relief for child survivors.
For more information on The Winner’s Circle for Children and “Operation Win for Kids” visit www.winforkids.org or contact Sandy Williams via phone at (502) 425-1233 or e-mail at sandy@winforkids.org.
