The year has been the busiest on record for the nonprofit Domestic Violence Prevention agency, which serves Texarkana and surrounding areas.
The agency needs a generous public to help it achieve its mission.
Executive Director Pam Dennington said the pandemic and the restrictions that come with it may have led to escalations in domestic violence.
"I've never seen anything like this. I've never seen this level of need in the community for domestic violence services," Pam said. "I don't know if there is more happening now but I think people are more willing to come get help. Real help is available. There is somebody on their side and nobody is going to look down on them for asking for it."
Pam said the agency needs donations of cash and/or new, unwrapped toys to help make Christmas as normal and special as possible for the children of domestic violence victims who cannot afford to be Santa on their own. Some victims require help with legal issues, such as acquiring a protective order, but have financial resources and other support. Others come for shelter with only the clothes on their backs.
The agency operates a shelter for those with nowhere to go. It offers legal services, provides counseling, operates a thrift store in Atlanta, Texas, and assists victims in many other ways.
Pam said the agency operates a Christmas store for its clients, which allows victims in financial need to pick and wrap gifts for their children. Depending on the amount of donations received, a certain amount to "spend" per child is allotted so that clients can shop.
"Allowing them to choose presents for their children empowers them," Pam said. "Every mother knows her own children and what would be most important to them. They get to personalize the gifts from them to their child."
Pam said other Christmas charities aren't always appropriate for domestic violence victims, who often need to shield their personal information and location from their abusers.
Money can be donated by mailing a check to the agency's main office at 424 Spruce St., Texarkana, Texas, 75501. Anyone wishing to donate via a check or new, unwrapped toys is encouraged to call 903-794-4000 to make arrangements to schedule a drop-off time or pickup by Domestic Violence Prevention staff.
Because of the pandemic, the office is closed to the public without an appointment.
"We are hoping to serve about 200 children this year with our Christmas store. Last year we served about 150 to 160. How much each child gets depends on the donations. Our clients are so very grateful for this," Pam said. "We did really well last year and are hoping everybody will be generous this year also."