Spirit of Christmas

St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s deputies loaded and delivered dozens of toys to inmates’ children earlier this month. The gifts were made possible through an ongoing partnership with the Church of the Assumption in Franklin. The sheriff’s office collects names, addresses and wish lists of inmates’ children. Parishioners of the church fill the wish lists and take on the task of organizing and packaging the gifts for delivery. Sheriff’s deputies loaded and distributed the toys and bicycles 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 14 years. This year, the church and sheriff’s office helped bring Christmas joy to the children of 40 families across St. Mary Parish. Pictured above are St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert and the Rev. Father Lloyd Francis Benoit Jr. with dozens of donated toys. Below, a two-week blanket drive organized and coordinated by Lt. Stephanie Duhon was held to benefit the St. Mary Council on Aging and collected 206 new blankets. The blankets will be distributed to senior citizens across St. Mary Parish. Contributors included parish residents and surrounding communities, businesses and employees of the sheriff’s office. Walgreens donated 10 new blankets. In addition to the total 206 new blankets, G&J Land and Marine Food Distribution donated two pallets of used blankets. From left are Maj. Gary Driskell, Dep. Adam Robison, Cpl. Chris Detiveaux, Dep. Taurean Smith, Sheriff Mark Hebert, COA Director Beverly Domengeaux, Dep. Connie Van Horn, Lt. Michael Stewart and Capt. John Kahl Jr.