LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- The 2nd annual donation drive was held at Imani Temple #49 in Lafayette for families needing essential supplies after Christmas.
In those donations, there were many items such as coats, blankets, hats, socks, and gloves. The drive also included toys, ensuring that kids could experience joy during this season of giving.
Marja Broussard, an organizer of the event, said the purpose of the drive is to give back to families who were not able to give any presents to their children on Christmas.
"We know that after Christmas parents are getting rid of toys because the kids are not going to play with them anymore, and we also know that some children didn't get anything for Christmas, so we got not only the clothes drive but also the toy drive, gently used and new toys, this afternoon we're going to let children come out and pick out what it is that they want," Broussard said.
Ryan King, a moderator at Imani Temple #49, said with cold temperatures on the way, now is the time for everyone to stay warm.
"We are in the middle of wintertime and it's about to get cold over the next few days, so we have awesome clothes like this big heavy jacket, this heavy coat right here, for people to come out, we have blankets for people to come out and get this and stay warm," King said.
Pamela Jolivette, an organizer of the event, said it means a lot to give back to the less fortunate, adding she also experienced this as a child.
"On Christmas time I never always was able to receive a gift on Christmas being the oldest out of nine siblings, so I had to sacrifice not having, so this means a lot to me knowing they have kids out there who didn't get anything for Christmas and just for them to be able to come and get something and see a smile on their face means a lot to me," Jolivette said.
After Christmas, the celebration of Kwanzaa begins. John Milton, arch-bishop at Imani Temple #49, said the holiday honors African American culture and heritage.
We believe that we must follow from an Afrocentric perspective every aspect of our life living holistically, we observe this great Kwanzaa holiday where we make sure that our people truly can take a look at ourselves for ourselves through our own Afrocentric lens, and celebrate our own culture, our own history, our own heritage," Milton said.
Members said they will be hosting a community celebration for Kwanzaa at Imani Temple #49 at 3 p.m. on New Year's Day. Everyone is welcome to attend.
