Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana and Amerisafe gifted 20 Beauregard Parish children with smiles, holiday cheer, and a full-on shopping spree in DeRidder last week.

At the Walmart Supercenter in DeRidder, Littles shopped with $100 in hand alongside Amerisafe employees (some of whom are Bigs in the BBBS-SWLA program).

Julia Tassin, marketing and development manager of BBBS-SWLA, told the American Press the Littles selected a “wonderful variety” of toys — like video game accessories, baby dolls, bracelet-making kits, basketballs, scooters and “of course, candy.”

“It’s truly a joy to see the children’s excitement as they shop for gifts they’ve been dreaming about,” Jillian Cormier, president, BBBS-SWLA, said in a news release.

At the core of BBBS-SWLA’s mission is to arm at-risk youth with every tool they need to achieve their dreams, Tassin said. This can’t done without community support. Amerisafe is an annual sponsor of BBBS that regularly supports the program in Beauregard and Vernon parishes.

“Their dedication means the world to our Bigs, Littles and staff,” she said. “Having businesses that care deeply and believe in the power of mentorship makes an immeasurable impact.”

This is the first time a BBBS shopping spree has been hosted in DeRidder, but similar experiences have been held in Lake Charles. Through a partnership between Target and the Lake Charles Police Department, Lake Charles Littles also got a shopping spree last week at an event called “Heroes and Helper,” making the effort to bring Christmas to every child a multi-parish effort.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Southwest Louisiana community for coming together to make this the best Christmas yet for our Littles,” Tassin said. “The generosity of Southwest Louisiana fuels our mission and has been especially moving this holiday season. From heartfelt donations to thoughtful acts of kindness, the support shown to our Littles and their families has been nothing short of extraordinary.”