Article by Terrell Manasco and images by Al Blanton. 

Imagine you’re a child who lives every day with the trauma of being physically or sexually abused. Now imagine you’re that child and it’s Christmas morning. You wake up, excited at the prospect of opening presents, leap out of bed and dash into the living room to see what Santa brought last night. As you round the corner, you see what’s under the tree—and your heart sinks  into your stomach.

Nothing. 

Warm, wet tears appear in the corners of your eyes as you stare at the empty spot on the floor under the tree. Santa forgot me again this year, you say softly to yourself. 

For many abused Walker County children, Christmas was once just like that. A few years ago, however, the Walker County Children’s Advocacy Center began providing Christmas gifts for needy children through donations. 

“We see a number of kids throughout the year and we make a list and try to determine the best we can, the greatest need,” says WCCAC Executive Director Johnny Sudberry. “I have a wonderful staff that have been doing it and they get community people who will sponsor these kids and provide gifts for them— toys, clothes, whatever the need is.”

Sudberry says several organizations have participated since the program first began in 2013. The last two years, the Cattlemen's Association has been a sponsor and helped with donations. “This year, it's coming from mostly local people who have a heart for kids,” he says. “It brings joy to kids who have been through hard times of abuse and other types of situations, and we want to make it as joyful as possible.”

The WCCAC typically begins asking for donations each year around the first of November. Even with the coronavirus pandemic on everyone’s minds this year, the response has remained as strong as ever. “Several people quickly responded,” Sudberry says. “We have 16 sponsors so far. I think we had about 20 one year. We have a good community with a big heart.”

In the past, the WCCAC has hosted a party for the kids with snacks or finger foods, and Sudberry will read The Night Before Christmas. This year, Covid-19 concerns have forced the center to modify its method of giving out gifts. “The plan is to give it to the parents,” Sudberry says. “That's one thing we will miss this year, not seeing the kids open the gifts.”

Sudberry says the WCCAC is grateful to all the sponsors who help put gifts under the tree for each child. 

“We feel blessed to be able to do this. We are so appreciative of people who will come forward and sponsor the kids.”

For those who would like to help, please send a donation to Walker County Children's Advocacy Center, 16 Alabama Avenue, Jasper, Alabama, 35501, or visit walkercac.org.