Over 90 individually purchased, prepared, and packaged plastic shoeboxes were donated to Christian Care Ministries for children in need this Christmas season.

Catheryn Parker, a parishioner at Saint Barnabas Anglican Church, has taken it upon herself for the past five years to put together these packages at her own expense.

“I do this because this is what the Lord wants me to do,” Parker said.

In the past five years, she has donated over 400 boxes of age and gender oriented toys, clothes and toiletries, Fr. Jonathan J. Filkins, pastor of Saint Barnabas, said.

Christian Care Ministries will distribute the boxes, or “little bits of happiness,” to children in need throughout the Christmas season until they run out, Christian Care Ministries manager Janet Teague said. They also allow children to pick out a stuffed animal from the organization’s collection.

“The little darlings…they’re almost afraid to touch them,” Teague said about the children who receive the boxes. “Their faces light up.”

Filkins said the plastic boxes also give the children a place to keep their new toys that is all their own, a luxury many of them may not have.

“They’re packed with love,” he said.

Each box is labeled for a specific age and gender, with each one carrying a unique assortment of gifts for those 2 to 12-years-old, Teague said. Though they often pick out certain things for older siblings to take home too, Teague said.

“It amazes me how [Parker] finds things…there are no two [boxes] alike,” she said.

Distribution will begin soon at the Christian Care Ministries center located at 321 Williams Ave. in Picayune. 92 boxes were delivered on Tuesday, in addition to extras from the year before.

“We appreciate this sweet lady,” Teague said about Parker.

Christian Care Ministries helps needy families in the community to determine where they can receive the proper assistance, previous coverage states.

They provide services from purchasing medications, clothing, gas vouches for medical appointments, support for utility bills and meal delivery, according to previous coverage.

The office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and can be reached at 601-799-3593.