Santa Claus made an early appearance over the weekend at the local Fraternal Order of Police lodge.
The red-suited bearer of holiday cheer, who just happens to resemble one of the lodge’s members, gave presents to children from Abba House on Saturday night.
The nonprofit Abba House is a 12-month residential ministry in north Forsyth that helps women, some with children, overcome addiction and abuse problems.
Tuck Nicholls, lodge secretary, said the annual Christmas party was a success, adding that the families were “so appreciative and so grateful.”
“We just feel like some of the times their exposure to law enforcement isn’t always the most pleasant, and we want to let them know that we’re pulling for them,” he said.
Earlier this month, the lodge presented the 25 Abba House mothers with $100 Kohl’s gift certificates, Nicholls said. One told him she got all of her Christmas shopping done with the certificate.
The children also seem to have enjoyed the order’s efforts.
“Everybody had a great time,” said Paige Perrell, who manages Abba House’s thrift store. “That Christmas that the FOP provides is for some of the children the only Christmas that they will have ... the kids that were there were definitely excited and surprised.”
Nicholls said a child at the party told him it was “the best Christmas I ever had.”
“It broke my heart,” Nicholls said.
The red-suited bearer of holiday cheer, who just happens to resemble one of the lodge’s members, gave presents to children from Abba House on Saturday night.
The nonprofit Abba House is a 12-month residential ministry in north Forsyth that helps women, some with children, overcome addiction and abuse problems.
Tuck Nicholls, lodge secretary, said the annual Christmas party was a success, adding that the families were “so appreciative and so grateful.”
“We just feel like some of the times their exposure to law enforcement isn’t always the most pleasant, and we want to let them know that we’re pulling for them,” he said.
Earlier this month, the lodge presented the 25 Abba House mothers with $100 Kohl’s gift certificates, Nicholls said. One told him she got all of her Christmas shopping done with the certificate.
The children also seem to have enjoyed the order’s efforts.
“Everybody had a great time,” said Paige Perrell, who manages Abba House’s thrift store. “That Christmas that the FOP provides is for some of the children the only Christmas that they will have ... the kids that were there were definitely excited and surprised.”
Nicholls said a child at the party told him it was “the best Christmas I ever had.”
“It broke my heart,” Nicholls said.