Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Councilwoman Jannie Thomas is known in the city for her efforts of keeping her Ward clean and encouraging the community to keep their areas clean but this time, she is focusing on giving back to the kids of the community for Christmas.

On Thursday, Dec.19, Thomas hosted her annual toy drive at the George P. Evans Reception Center and Safety Building to bring the gift giving event to life for the kids in the community.

“I’ve been doing this event for eight years and I started this way before I got in office being a councilwoman for The City of Selma and my ward, Ward 7,” Thomas said. But, within my role, I have had more opportunity to reach out to more people and connect with businesses within my district to bring it all together.”

Thomas said since she has seen so many children go through trauma, loss of loved ones and seen heartbreak and death within her community, she knows that families are trying to keep it together, so that’s why each year, she strives to keep the event ongoing and successful.

Thomas said this year’s toy drive was not the biggest that she has had, but said the kids who attended this year’s event were such a happy and cheerful crowd that over time, she ever won’t forget.

“Oh, they loved it,” Thomas said. The kids couldn’t wait to get their hands on the toys and we had a ceremony dedicated to the kids where they had food, fun, giveaway prizes, along with the toys that they received,” said Thomas.

Many community members pitched in to help with the event from Business Owner Jaqueline Smith who runs the Reflections Coffee Shoppe downtown who served the food to Mr. Sam Harris, who is a community member in the city who participates in the event each year as a contributor to the Executive Director Jerria Martin of the Drug Free Communities organization in Selma as well.

Thomas said she was even excited to see Dr. Tonya Chestnut, who is a member of the Alabama Board of Education come in attendance to the event including many others as well.

Thomas said there were also many organizations in the area that contributed to the event including a big box store within the city called Food Outlet.

“Food Outlet is in my district as well,” Thomas said. “It is one of the biggest grocery stores where a lot of people in Selma are going to shop and they have been with me since I have done this. I love them because we support the community, support the city and we are just a whole support system.”

Thomas said her event for the kids stands out as one event that is connecting with families and local businesses within the community from Domino Pizza, Daylight Donuts, to Selma Cash and Carry and each year, she said those businesses have supported her and her efforts giving back.

“I also have to name the other business, Cougar Oil, Mr. Jones business. He loves dinosaurs and he bought the kids this year dinosaurs, and when you push the button on one of them, they make a little noise and move its head and the little 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds during the event, were excited.

Thomas said since the event was such a success, she plans to give out a $50 gift card to a local family for Christmas to make their Christmas Day special.

“What I want the public to know outside of this event, is that safety is our number one issue in my district and we have to work together in the community and even involve ourselves in the churches because we have people there who need and I have a heart for people. That’s why I keep doing things.

Thomas due to her dedicated efforts this holiday season, she also donated soup to the community as well this week for those during Christmas time to have something warm to eat.