St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s deputies are delivering hundreds of toys and bicycles to the children of inmates incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. The gifts are made possible through a partnership with the Church of the Assumption in Franklin and Sheriff Mark Hebert. Deputies at the parish jail collect names, addresses, and Christmas wish lists from inmates’ for their children. Members of Church of the Assumption generously fill the wish lists and organize the gifts for delivery. Last week, Sheriff’s deputies began distributing the toys and bikes to the parents and guardians of inmates’ children across the parish. Sheriff Hebert and the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Church of the Assumption advent giving program for the past 15 years. This year, the church and sheriff’s office helped bring Christmas joy to 274 children.

Parishioners donated hundreds of toys that are going to children on behalf of the inmates who may not otherwise be able to provide the gifts. Joining in with church members two of the Sheriff’s Office division commanders along with members of the Marine Division made a shopping trip to Walmart in Franklin to personally fill two last Christmas lists.

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