About 48 children in Acadiana will soon receive Christmas gifts thanks to Lafayette's Kiwanis Club.
It's part of the group's “Operation Magi” initiative, an event that normally allows children to shop with members for Christmas gifts.
Because of the pandemic, the children were absent for this year's shopping spree. While adjustments had to be made, it didn't stop the group's tradition of giving this holiday season and making sure each child gets every item on their list.
Kiwanis club member Casey Hebert got his family involved to help with the shopping spree.
"I thought it was a good idea to bring my kids so they can pick because we selected three girls to shop for and they're all around the ages of my daughters,” said Hebert.
"I'm nine, she's ten so I felt like she would like most of the same things that I like,” said Hebert’s daughter, Addison Hebert.
Operation Magi is a tradition for the Kiwanis Club, but this year, the event organizer says the need to give back is even greater.
"In a typical year, they have about 300 kids in the program, this year they have 900 and that's mainly due to the two storms in Lake Charles, a lot of kids have been displaced here,” event organizer Ryan Lavergne explained.
All the gifts will be given to the kids on Christmas Day.
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