Local pastor donates toys for Columbus kids

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Christmas came early for a few lucky kids at the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus.

Pastor Jerry Lockett of iFocus Ministries donated almost 200 toys to area children.

The event had food, toys, singing, and Santa Clause arrived in a limo.

This is all part of Pastor Jerry Lockett’s new “I Wish, I Care Foundation.”

Pastor Lockett is legally blind and bound to a wheelchair, but he doesn’t let that stop him from making a difference in the community.

“A lot of children want certain things, but they can’t afford certain things. We’re working hard to make sure they have everything that they need… We did about 177 different gifts for kids of Boys and Girls Club and some children that we knew that was not a part of the Boys and Girls Club that we wanted to do something for that will help make their Christmas come together,” said Lockett.

Employees of the Boys and Girls Club say they were thrilled when Pastor Lockett called them up with the idea.

“There’s so many negative things out there, it’s good for the kids to see a positive light to realize what the real reason of Christmas is about,” said Youth Developmental Professional Nicki Sykes.

“I hope that they take away the love, the joy, and the peace that it’s going to bring to them knowing that somebody cares for them and supports them and that loves them during this season,” said Unit Director Brittany Turner.

Other community leaders heard about the event and decided to drop by.

“No matter what the season is, you can always be in a position to give. It’s always better to be on the giving end than the receiving end. Hopefully when they grow up they’ll understand that as well and give back to their community also,” said Ward 5 Councilman Stephen Jones.

Although this is just the first year of the IFocus Christmas Program, those in attendance hope it won’t be the last.

“This is just the beginning of something that we can definitely carry out in the near future,” said Turner.

Pastor Lockett says he hopes to put on another big event around the Easter holiday.

If you’d like to donate to the IFocus Ministry, you can contact them at 662-243-3165.