The reason for the season is not lost on Simmons & Simmons, PLLC and they are making sure it won’t be lost on the Greenville and Washington County communities either.
Simmons & Simmons, PLLC is having its 11th annual Christmas Toys Giveaway beginning at 4 p.m. Dec. 18 at T.L. Weston School Gym, 901 Archer St.
Mayor Errick Simmons and his brother, Senator Derrick Simmons, said they decided to commence the annual Christmas Toys Giveaway because they are firm believers that charity begins at home.
Mayor Simmons stressed love as the driving force behind what he and his brother are doing for their community this holiday season and in previous ones.
“Not only do we represent as vessels to do God’s will, because God is love, but we felt that we should bless somebody else,” as a popular gospel song goes, “So that’s what we try to do day in and day out,” Simmons said.
In its nearly 11-year span, the Christmas Toys Giveaway has served over 5,000 needy children in Greenville and surrounding areas, according to Simmons.
As one of the instrumental figures in launching the Giving Tree of the Community Foundation of Washington County (CFWC), Simmons said their increased efforts to provide toys to children in need was a response to the departure of The Salvation Army.
“What our event has done year after year, even before the closure of The Salvation Army, is see to it that any gifts, bikes, clothes and toys we had left would be dropped off to The Salvation Army,” Simmons said.
Since The Salvation Army is no longer operating in Washington County, Simmons said those leftover gift items go to the CFWC’s Giving Tree and that is made possible through several continual sponsors.
Some of those sponsors who contribute greatly to the Christmas Toys Giveaway include Pettiet Agricultural Services, Burle Engineers, Dawkins Office Supplies & Equipment Co., Trop Casino, Family Dollar, Kroger, elected officials, various churches and civic groups and organizations.
Simmons also highlighted the significance of family involvement to the event.
“Our wives, mom, and children all participate,” he said.
The Mayor’s Youth Council and other groups partake in the event as well such as the Greenville High Choir Voices of Liberation, who sing Christmas carols during the giveaway.
“We want it to be as warm and as close of a resemblance to Christ and Christmas as it can get,” Simmons added.
Another reason Simmons said he holds this Christmas Toys Giveaway and other charitable deeds close to his heart is because of the struggles he witnesses firsthand from families.
“There’s a family or two that comes to us every year who’s teased because they have the funds to wear Jordans and such and Derrick and I buy those kids Jordans so they can start the year off with them,” sympathetic Simmons said.
Simmons & Simmons, PLLC encourages all families with children in need of some Christmas cheer this Christmas year, to come to the Christmas Toys Giveaway.
All businesses, churches, civic and local organizations, and individuals able to donate are asked to bring a toy, or two or three, to Simmons and Simmons, PLLC, Attorneys-At-Law, 207 Main St., between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 17.
