The children living at COMPACT Hillcrest Children's Home and Ouachita Children's Center this holiday season had something to smile about on Sunday thanks to the generosity of a group of small business owners in the area.
With the help of several donors, almost 50 children received $100 Walmart gift cards and participated in the annual Shop with a Sheriff event.
Ben Briggs, one of the owners of 3B's Bar & Billiards, started collecting money for COMPACT Hillcrest Children's Home and Ouachita Children's Center four years ago out of his bar. Briggs and his customers at 3B's would select anywhere from three to five families and provide them with a memorable Christmas. After discovering the event Shop with a Cop, Briggs got the idea to bring a similar program to Hot Springs -- he just needed to find a worthy charity.
"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.
Through donations collected at the bar, donations from his friends, DeLuca's Pizzeria Napoletana's owner Anthony Valinoti, and Bob and Tina Chastain, and a pool tournament held at 3B's, they raised just about $5,000. All the money not put into the gift cards goes directly to COMPACT Hillcrest Children's Home as a donation.
"This year, we went back to the original setup and just took the kids to Walmart. Every kid gets at least a $100 gift card and they are able to choose what they want this year," Valinoti said.
During the shopping spree, Briggs said that each child is asked to buy at least one gift for someone else to keep the spirit of paying it forward alive. A lot of the children use the money on the gift card to buy presents for their brothers, sisters, and close friends.
Once each child has spent the money on their gift card, everyone headed to DeLuca's Pizzeria for some homemade pies, fellowship, and a chance to throw some flour in each other's faces. This time together gives the children an opportunity to have a positive experience with a member of law enforcement.
"A lot of these kids come from troubled homes. They're not in trouble and they haven't done anything wrong but they're just in bad situations. Sadly, a lot of them do not have a positive view of law enforcement," Briggs said.
Briggs and Valinoti said the children are sometimes a bit apprehensive about hanging out with a sheriff's deputy, but toward the end of the event, they are exchanging hugs and truly enjoying themselves. Briggs said he feels it is crucial to set the stage for a positive experience between law enforcement and the children living at COMPACT Hillcrest Children's Home and Ouachita Children's Center.
"It's always a great day. I know for, myself and Anthony, it's probably our favorite part of Christmas every year," Briggs said."
Local on 12/17/2018