Merlen and Chase Gilmer enjoy the presents they receive at the From the Heart Christmas Kids Gift program giveaway Thursday, Dec. 16. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo
The From the Heart Christian Women’s Ministries served over 550 local children and 200 families at their Christmas Kids Gift program giveaway Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Anza.After weeks of preparation, hundreds of donations and hours of organizing and wrapping, the meticulously selected gifts were dispersed to deserving families throughout the Valley. Hours spent shopping for individual gifts to meet both the wants and needs of local children paid off with smiles, laughter, and well wishes as the gifts were handed out packed in huge plastic bags.“Every year we get a few more kids than the year before,” organizer Christina James said. “And every year the community ju
