MALVERN, AR – It’s been two years since 1-year-old Hannah Grace was returned to her biological father’s care. The two were found a month later murdered in a burnt out truck. To honor Hannah’s memory, at toy drive was set up to help other foster kids celebrate Christmas.
This is the second year the toy drive has been held and it has grown in size. The community donated hundreds of presents and they were all wrapped at a party Thursday night at the First Baptist Church in Malvern.
“It grew this year,” says Holly Carr, Hannah’s foster mom. “We’re looking at between 40 to 50 kids we’re blessing.”
The volunteers formed an assembly line of rolling, cutting, folding ,and taping. Carr says it helps to have this to focus on.
“You never get over losing a child. You get through it, but not over it. This has allowed me to speak about our tragedy,” says Carr.
Many of the volunteers who came to the wrapping party knew Hannah Grace.
“You couldn’t not be close to her because she just had that smile that brought you in. That’s why I’m here tonight,” says Angie Taylor. “It’s what it’s all about, giving to others this time of year and doing for others this time of year.”
While the pain of losing Hannah Grace is something Carr will always carry in her heart. She’s happy knowing other foster kids will be smiling back on Christmas morning.
This is the second year the toy drive has been held and it has grown in size. The community donated hundreds of presents and they were all wrapped at a party Thursday night at the First Baptist Church in Malvern.
“It grew this year,” says Holly Carr, Hannah’s foster mom. “We’re looking at between 40 to 50 kids we’re blessing.”
The volunteers formed an assembly line of rolling, cutting, folding ,and taping. Carr says it helps to have this to focus on.
“You never get over losing a child. You get through it, but not over it. This has allowed me to speak about our tragedy,” says Carr.
Many of the volunteers who came to the wrapping party knew Hannah Grace.
“You couldn’t not be close to her because she just had that smile that brought you in. That’s why I’m here tonight,” says Angie Taylor. “It’s what it’s all about, giving to others this time of year and doing for others this time of year.”
While the pain of losing Hannah Grace is something Carr will always carry in her heart. She’s happy knowing other foster kids will be smiling back on Christmas morning.