Shop for a Cause to benefit JDP kids

LAKE ARTHUR - There is no shortage of good Samaritans in the community that are looking to make sure area children enjoy Christmas. This weekend, they will have a chance to make a difference.

Event organizer Amy Chiasson has planned a shopping event that will collect and distribute toys to less fortunate children in Jeff Davis Parish.

Shop for a Cause will be held Sunday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Area vendors will gather at the Dollar General store located at 414 La. 26 in Lake Arthur. There, a variety of items will be available for purchase including jewelry, woodcrafts, Christmas items, foods, candles and more.

To participate, a vendor must donate $30 worth of new, unwrapped toys.

“There is no fee for shoppers to attend the event but we do encourage them to donate a toy or make a monetary donation toward the worthy cause,” Chiasson added.

For those who make either type of donation, their names will be entered into a raffle to win one of several prizes.

The collected toys will be distributed to children around Jeff Davis.

“Our goal is to provide at least one family in each town of the parish a magical Christmas,” said Chiasson. “I wanted to do something that would give back to locals but not just people in one town.”

Chiasson came up with the idea to form Shop for a Cause.

“I’m always for giving and I’ve been wanting to organize something like this,” said Chiasson. “We’re hoping to make this a yearly event.”

On the day of the event, Brennen’s Blessings will also be accepting donations of nonperishable food items. That group will also offer a prize giveaway for those who contribute.

Dollar General itself will have a table set up to accept donations that will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As part of its drive, the store will also include a raffle with the chance to win one of several prizes.

Items that are needed for Sunday’s event include toys, makeup sets, games, body wash sets and any other gifts that children of any age would like to have.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Amy Chiasson at (337) 368-6829 or Sarah Chiasson at (337) 368-2454.