Church groups bringing Christmas to children of inmates

CLOVIS — The holidays can be an especially difficult time for the children of those incarcerated.

So multiple local church groups are once again working to bring the Christmas spirit to those children in need.

Members of the Living Word Church of God, for the fourth year in a row, will be distributing presents to children of inmates. For the 10th year in a row, Christian Believers, partnering with Central Baptist Church, will supply stockings for the children of detainees at Curry and Roosevelt County Detention Centers.

On Saturday, Living Word Church of God will distribute presents to more than 100 local children as a part of its Angel Tree program. The gifts are in conjunction with Prison Fellowship, a Christian ministry that provides services for inmates and their families.

“It gives us an opportunity to meet with families within our community that may be struggling and just a way for us to let the kids know that their parents have not forgotten about them and this is their gift to them,” said Bonetta Hutson, associate pastor at Living Word Church of God.

Christian Believers Founder Sistar Yancy has been visiting the local jails since moving to Clovis 12 years ago. It’s through those visits she discovered the opportunity to provide gifts to the detainees’ children, she said.

The children receive a stocking that includes a stuffed animal, candy cane, a mug and a new hat and gloves.

Yancy said a party is scheduled Dec. 15 to pass out the stockings, along with popcorn and hot chocolate.

Inside the Clovis jail, the holidays are mostly like all other days, though detainees will receive a special Christmas meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes and brown gravy, according to Administrator Mark Gallegos.

Gallegos also said families will have extra visitation times during the holidays.

Security concerns prevent inmates in Clovis and Portales from receiving holiday gifts.

But Roosevelt County Detention Center Administrator Justin Porter and Gallegos said families can purchase extra food, clothing and bathroom supplies for inmates.

And in Roosevelt County, Porter said detainees will be allowed more time for Bible study and there will be more frequent visitors from religious groups during the holidays.