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LAPLACE — With the Christmas season approaching, annual U.S. Marines Toys for Tots distributions are returning to the St. John the Baptist and St. Charles Parish area.

 

• A St. Charles Toy & Gift Event will be held Saturday, December 10 at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center at 274 Judge Dufresne Parkway in Luling. East Bank residents are invited to attend from 9 to 11 a.m., and West Bank residents are invited to attend from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please bring your Santa letter. The Toy & Gift event is for children ages 16 and under. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and must show proof of residency. Refreshments will be available while supplies last. This event is presented by St. Charles Parish, the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots, Valero St. Charles Refinery, the Times-Picayune Doll & Toy Fund, United Way of St. Charles, and the Rotary Club.

 

• The Francis family — in partnership with New Wine Christian Fellowship, the Department of Children and Family Services, and St. John the Baptist Child Welfare — will host the fourth annual Pictures with Santa event, now known as Snapshots with Santa!, on Sunday, December 11 at 299 Belle Terre Blvd. in LaPlace from noon to 4 pm. Families can take cell phone pictures of their children with Santa while enjoying Christmas-themed activities and raffle giveaways that increase in value every hour throughout the event. This is a non-profit event that is free to the public. However, attendees are encouraged to bring an item or item(s) to benefit foster children in the local community. Each guest will be given an opportunity to write an anonymous personal note with words of encouragement for the foster children to spread holiday cheer.

 

• The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office in partnership with Toys for Tots invites the community to a toy giveaway for children ages 1 to 14. Families may use cell phones to take a picture with Santa during the event, which will be held on December 17 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the West Bank Safety Complex on Highway 18 in Edgard and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lyndon B. Johnson Law Enforcement Training Center at 947 Cambridge Drive in LaPlace. For more information, call 985-652-7058.

 

• Revelation Knowledge Outreach Center is presenting a drive-thru toy giveaway from 1 to 3 p.m. December 22 at 125 Ash Street in LaPlace. Registration forms can be submitted using an online link. Please contact rocout2018@gmail.com for more information.