Staff Report

Bell Central School Center will be the destination for a special Christmas event on Dec. 8. Praise Ministries International will be bringing multiple truck loads of food, clothing and presents for the entire county on that day. In order for adults to get presents for children, their children must be present.

Bell Central Principal Greg Wilson is coordinating the event with Praise Ministries International. All of the school district’s family resource youth service center personnel will be assisting with the distribution.

According to statements by Bell County Superintendent Yvonne Gilliam in a letter to employees, over 3,500 adults and children in Knox County received food, clothing and presents last year through the organization.

According to Gilliam, 90 percent of the items will be brought by Praise Ministries International. The ministry has contacted several churches in the area for help.

Some churches have already committed to provide turkeys and other non-perishable food items, while some businesses have agreed to provide toys.

In October, Larry and Linda Woodson, pastors from Cartersville, Ga., met with Wilson to discuss the event and the past ministry and support projects brought into the eastern counties of Kentucky.

According to Gilliam, the Woodsons started by coming into part of the state and helping families out of the trunk of their car. Now, their mission and ministry has grown into Praise Ministries International.