For Chief Martin McLendon and Rep. Dustin Miller their thinking on Christmas is that it is always better to give than receive. With the help of many volunteers they did just that Wednesday afternoon when they held the first annual Turkey and Toy Giveaway at the Opelousas Police Department.
Things got underway around 1 p.m. with cars beginning to line up early on Court Street. By the time the event began that line had stretched all the way to the railroad tracks. Organizers estimated that over 1000 kids were given early Christmas presents with their parents receiving a butterball turkey. One volunteer who normally wouldn’t be in the giving mood was the Grinch that stole Christmas. He must have had a change of heart or maybe it was the fact that he was one of the several members of the Army National Guard that donated their time. That’s Grinch in the picture high fiving one of the toy recipients. Some of the sponsors included Louisiana Health Care Connections, Piggly Wiggly, Tony Chachere Seasoning and Opelousas Catholic.
