leonnah@standard-democrat.com
SIKESTON -- Over 1,000 children and their families and 400 volunteers benefited from the fourth Radical Christmas, which proved to be the most successful yet.
According to Brad Aycock, Radical Christmas team member and executive pastor at First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, nearly 1,050 children from 16 counties across Southeast Missouri were served through the past weekend's event which provided toys, shoes and groceries to families in need.
Over 400 volunteers and 33 churches as well as numerous businesses distributed 920 pairs of shoes and about 500 sacks of groceries to families on Dec. 16 prior to the Saturday event, Aycock said.
On Saturday, families and community members attended one of four concerts featuring performances by Christian rapper J'Son of St. Louis and other local performers. The families who had previously applied for assistance also received gifts for their children, Bibles and a J'Son CD that day, too. Over 2,000 people attended the four concerts, Aycock said.
"Everything went as planned -- and better," Aycock said.
After each event, organizers look at how they can grow Radical Christmas for next year, he added.
"We always want to continue to help more and more people each year," Aycock said.
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