Local church partners with ex-prisoners to distribute Christmas gifts to children with incarcerated parents

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A small church on Milwaukee's north west side looked more like Santa's warehouse Wednesday, Dec. 22. 

Bicycles and toys were given to kids from families in need. 

Action for Christ Ministries has been organizing this toy giveaway for years, but this year, there's a new twist. They're working with a group called "EXPO," which represents ex-prisoners.

One of Wednesday's goals was to make sure that children whose parents are incarcerated get toys.

"I've been incarcerated, and people tend to forget that there are others connected with these individuals," said EXPO lead organizer Sylvester Jackson.

"We want to let them know that there are people out there that still care, people out there willing to help to make sure that they have a good Christmas, so that they won't get lost in the system as well," said Patricia Woods of Action for Christ. 

Kids who received one of these bikes are being encouraged, with their families, to come back and participate in an organized bike ride next summer.