Volunteers fill more than 4,400 stockings for Borderland children
It was an early start for dozens of volunteers and members of the Rotary Club of El Paso Wednesday morning.
At 6 a.m. they began filling more than 4,400 stocking with snacks, juice boxes and candy at the First Presbyterian Church in Central El Paso that will be given away to some of the most under served children in the area.
The stockings were taken to the El Paso County Coliseum where scores of children from Region 19’s Head Start Program were given the stockings for the 23rd Annual Children’s Holiday Program.
This year’s program included a Christmas story production written and performed by Region 19 Head Start employees.
“Our goal is to serve the disadvantaged children in our community. Through partnership with Head Start we have been able to reach out to more kids than ever,” said Mike Hackett, Rotary Club of El Paso President.
The club has hosted this event since the early 1920’s and has partnered with Region 19 for more than 20 years.
Along with the stockings, the children also got a hard bound book.
The club partnered with ‘Books Are GEMS’ to provide age appropriate books to all of the children and Walmart to provide the goodies.
‘Books Are Gems’ is a local non-profit dedicated to fighting illiteracy in the community by providing free books to children of all ages.
“The event also provides an opportunity for our Rotarians and their families to gather in the stuffing of the stockings and learn about the importance of giving,” said Hackett.
