By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Top photo: From left are Chris Hardaway, Mylee Kervin, Chris Reed, Sgt. Camille Emmanual and Autauga County Probate Judge Kim Kervin. (Photo by Sarah Stephens/EAN)
This afternoon members of Woodmen Life Chapter 298 of Prattville, a Prattville Police officer, and other volunteers were on a mission.
Once again, Woodmen Life of stepped up this year at Christmas to give Santa a hand in making sure there are enough toys for the good girls and boys.
Teaming up with the Prattville Police Department, those toys will be among many others that will be distributed across the city in the coming days.
The ladies and one gentleman rushed down the aisles, discussing and loading up the many carts.
Kim Kervin is the Autauga County Probate Judge and secretary of the local Woodmen Life chapter. She was found pushing a cart already loaded down through Prattville Walmart. She talked often with her daughter, Mylee, and Mylee’s boyfriend Chris, via cell phone on where to go next, or what the older kids would love.
Meanwhile, Prattville Sgt. Camille Emmanuel was teamed up with Woodmen Life Vice President Chris Reed as the two ladies scrambled on the other end of the toy section.
Stuffed animals, blankets, art supplies, slime and an assortment of other toys filled five (or what it six?) carts. At the checkout line, people gathered and gawked at the bounty.
Hundreds of kids in the Prattville community will be the recipients, and hopefully realize they are loved and always remembered.
As the bagged toys were loaded into the sleigh…er, Prattville Police car, Kervin talked about what this means to her each year.
“This is just a day that makes me so very happy, and as a member of Woodmen Life, our organization loves to give back,” she said. “We have done this for several years, and it just gets better every time. We are happy to work with the Police Department and are probably as excited as the kids will be when they receive their presents.”
As the vehicles departed, the EAN is almost certain we heard, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
Thank you to the Woodmen Life crew for allowing this reporter to tag along. Thank you to the Prattville officers that will be distributing these toys. I can honestly say, my heart grew two sizes, or more.
About Woodmen Life
Learn What Sets Us Apart
From the website: Founded in 1890 as a not-for-profit life insurance company, we reinvest our profits back into our mission, supporting members and communities rather than making money for shareholders.
Woodmen Life Chapter 298 is located in Prattville. Chapter Officers are:
President: Parker Reed
(334) 322-2319
Secretary: Kimberly Kervin
(334) 391-4140
Vice President: Chris Reed
Treasurer: Claire Hicks
Auditor Chairman: Frances Grouby
Auditor: William Kervin
What is a Chapter?
Our Woodmen Life chapter is made up of members from our local communities who share a commitment to Family, Community and Country. Members belong to a chapter in the area in which they live, and each chapter elects their own officers.
Through our community-focused, family-oriented chapter, members can participate in our social, civic, charitable, educational, patriotic, and voluntary service activities. We partner with local schools, fire departments and other charitable organizations to help make our community better for everyone.
Chapters across the country plan a diverse range of activities. A local chapter might host a backpack stuffing event for schools, help build a local Habitat for Humanity home or hold a bake sale to benefit its volunteer fire department. Our chapter activities create family time and are about having fun, making new friends and helping others.
