PANOLA, AL, (May 24, 2016): Kids Wish Network’s Holiday of Hope On Tour event delivered joy to 2,000 children in Sumter County by distributing more than $300,000 of new toys and other items. The program works to bring hope and happiness to children facing life-altering situations.

Thousands of Sumter County children and their families flooded the area and waited patiently in lines wrapped around the North Sumter Junior High School. For hours, county officials and local volunteers worked nonstop to ensure that each child received the toys and necessities they so deserved.

“Kids Wish Network’s Holiday of Hope On Tour was the most resourceful event that Sumter County has ever had. The people that make up our most poverty-stricken areas were just pleased to receive all of the nice and useful gifts of toys and goods,” said Sumter County Commissioner Drucilla Jackson.

The county received 22 pallets that were filled with board games, stuffed animals, dolls, backpacks, e-writers, school supplies, baby items, new clothes, and toiletry kits valued at over $300,000. Freight Quote provided the transportation of the products from Kids Wish Network’s distribution center in Holiday, Florida, to the Sumter County, Alabama, school.

“I would like to thank Kids Wish Network for their Holiday of Hope On Tour for adding smiles to so many faces here in Sumter County. We are very thankful,” said City of Panola Outreach Coordinator Lovie Parks.

Over the years, Kids Wish Network has reached hundreds of thousands of children across the United States through its Holiday of Hope On Tour Event and Gift Bank programs. These children are facing upsetting and often traumatic circumstances such as illness, abuse, neglect, and homelessness.

“Kids Wish Network’s Holiday of Hope On Tour program is dedicated to traveling the country to spread joy and hope to children facing some of life’s most difficult challenges. We can do so because of the generosity of our donors and sponsors,” said Kids Wish Network Executive Director Anna Lanzatella.

Through the generosity of Kids Wish Network’s Guardian Angel sponsors and local volunteers, Kids Wish Network and the county were able to bring comfort and joy to kids that need it most.

Special thanks to all of the sponsors and volunteers, including Sumter Co. Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Drucilla Jackson, Panola Outreach Coordinator Lovie Parks, Sumter Co. Schools, Sumter Co. Sheriff Department, Am Star Emergency Medical Service, The Lodge at Cameron’s Quail Preserve, Chemical Waste Management, Supt. Dr., Tyrone Yarbrough, Principal Melissa Woods, Coca Cola Bottling Company, McInnis Mortuary, Sumter Co. Opportunity, Inc., Zion Valley Missionary Baptist Church, Greater Salem A. M. E. Zion, St. John Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Panola Church of God, St. Paul A. M. E. Zion, Galilee Baptist Church, Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, Panola United Methodist Church, Rome C. M. E. Church, Cluster Baptist Church, Hardaway’s Funeral Services, Pizza Hut Livingston, Sumter Co. Dept. of Human Resources, U. of West Alabama Outreach Program, Sumter Co. Board of Education, Sumter Co. Retired Teachers Association, Sumter Co. Record-Journal, North Sumter Day Care Center, Inc., The Salvation Army, and Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

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Kids Wish Network has been making dreams come true for children since 1997. We are dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children experiencing life-altering situations. We started with the single purpose of granting wishes to children suffering from life-threatening conditions but have since created additional programs to benefit kids nationwide, including Hero of the Month, Project Toy Drop, Holiday of Hope Gift Banks, and A Child Forever Funeral Assistance.