About 150 people gathered Dec. 18 for a Christmas bicycle and toy giveaway held at the Bethune Recreational Center.
The annual event, now in its sixth year, was organized by Larry Dozier as part of a ministry focused on supporting children and families in high-crime areas. Dozier said the idea grew from a vision he felt called to pursue, with a special emphasis on helping children during the holiday season.
“God gave me a vision to have a ministry to help people that was out in the streets in high-crime areas,” Dozier said. “As I shared that vision with my wife, it was her idea that I had to do something for the kids.”
Dozier credited his wife, Fanny Dozier, for encouraging him to include children at the center of the outreach.
This year, each child received a bicycle and a toy.
The event featured volunteers, donations from partnering organizations and support from local officials. Dozier said the atmosphere was uplifting and well-organized, with families following safety guidelines to ensure a smooth event.
“It was just great to see volunteers coming together, people who want to help,” Dozier said. “We can’t do it by ourselves.”
Before the giveaway began, Dozier delivered a brief message about Jesus Christ and the meaning of the Christmas season, followed by a prayer. Indianola Mayor Ken Featherstone and other city officials also attended and addressed the crowd.
Children were required to be accompanied by a parent as they lined up to select a toy and a bicycle. The Sunflower County Sheriff’s Department provided security to ensure safety throughout the event.
“There were no incidents and no accidents,” Dozier said. “Everything went well.”
Dozier said he hopes the event continues to grow and welcomes additional organizations to participate in future years.
“This started back in 2019,” Dozier said. “We want this to grow every year.”
Dozier also acknowledged former Mayor Steve Rosenthal for helping get the event started and thanked Featherstone for his continued support over the past four years.
