While the holiday season is typically seen as a time for friends and family to gather, that is not always the case for children living at COMPACT Hillcrest Children's Home and Ouachita Children's Center.
Three local business owners teamed up again this year to ensure that children spending the holidays without their families feel loved and included. Ben Briggs, Anthony Valinoti, and Bob and Tina Chastain combined their resources and hosted the third annual Shop with a Sheriff event on Sunday.
"This event services kids that typically have had a rough upbringing. Ben and I both came from similar situations, so this is very near and dear to our hearts," said Bob Chastain, owner of Perfect Vision.
Each child received a gift from Santa Claus and enjoyed lunch at DeLuca's Pizzeria. Toward the end of the event, Valinoti, the restaurant's owner, invited the children back into the kitchen for a "flour fight." Briggs also shared tidbits of wisdom he's learned growing up.
"I want you guys to learn how to be grateful for what you have and not angry about what you don't have. I had to learn the same lesson and once I did that, I was able to turn my life around," Briggs told the children.
For the past several months, the team worked hard to raise funds, collect donations and shop for Christmas presents to give to the children at COMPACT Hillcrest Children's Home and Ouachita Children's Center.
They provided gifts valued at $50 for more than 59 children this year. Briggs said they raised about $4,500, but since the event started, they have raised more than $30,000.
Briggs began buying gifts for underprivileged children three years ago. He and his customers at 3B's Bar & Billiards would select anywhere between three and five families and provide them with a memorable Christmas. Eventually, he found that the effort was more effective serving the children living at COMPACT Hillcrest Children's.
"The day I walked into Hillcrest, I immediately knew that any charity work I did from that point on would benefit the children's home," said Briggs.
Valinoti started a similar project last year with the help of the Chastains. The children spent the day at his restaurant and enjoyed themselves in a relaxed atmosphere. He treated them to his famous Brooklyn-style pies, soft drinks and a relaxed atmosphere where they could just be themselves, he said.
"This is, without a doubt, the best day of the year for me. It's just so magical to see the looks on these guys' faces," Valinoti said.
For the past two years, the Garland County Sheriff's Department sent representatives to the event. Deputies helped pass out the gifts and work to foster positive relationships with the children in attendance.
This year, Briggs said he received fewer requests from Hillcrest and surplus of donations, so he was able to invite the children from Ouachita Children's Center to the event. Each child from OCC walked away with a full belly, $50 gift card and words of wisdom from Briggs.
"What we've been able to do here today is great, but these kids and these two organizations are in need 12 months out of the year," Briggs said.
"These guys are the future of our country, and we need to do better," he said.
Local on 12/18/2017