Allen County Children Services is applauding the community for its support during the holiday season.
The numbers are in from Allen County Children Services holiday programs. 406 children had their holidays made special by donations and support from the community. The Adopt-A-Family program was able to provide presents to 217 children while the Cole Collection program was able to give presents to 189 children. Program coordinator, Staci Nichols, said this year, more children were helped than in recent years, thanks in part to the increasing number of sponsors each year.
"It's wonderful. They're so appreciative," Nichols said. "They know that they would not probably be able to give the children these things without this assistance. The smiles on the children, of course, is always exciting. Really just the parents, the caregivers are so appreciative."
Nichols expects most of the sponsors from this year to return and invites any and all new sponsors for the next holiday season.
