Doll and Toy Fund

This year the Catholic Daughters are again sponsoring the Doll & Toy Fund for Christmas. The Daughters are celebrating their 100th year at St. Landry Catholic Church and the Doll and Toy Fund is nearly 90 years old.

Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation please send a check or money order payable to DOLL & TOY FUND % Janis Courvelle, 1826 Edwards St., Opelousas, LA 70570.

We welcome NEW toys, which may be brought to Valentin Hall during office hours.

For more information, call 789-0971.

But some history ...

The Doll and Toy Fund dates back to the 1920's. Men who came home after serving in World War I were having problems making ends meet. The Catholic Daughters mended clothing and cleaned up toys to be given out to help these families.

Currently, the Fund helps more than 2,000 children per year. 7 local schools in Opelousas submit lists of needy children looking for a bright spot in the holiday season. Children who receive treatment at the Opelousas Area Cerebral Palsy Clinic also receive toys.

Drop off boxes are located in St. Landry Bank and Trust, St. Landry Homestead Savings Bank, Guarantee Glass, Village Boutique, Century 21, Ventura Foods, Van Eaton and Romero, Acadiana Prep, Donuts Galore and the Opelousas Daily World.

Boxes are also located in Valentine Hall at St. Landry Catholic Church, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church and Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

Coin boxes are located at the Meat Block Diner, La Belle Salon, Courvelle RV and Courvelle Toyota, the Medicine Shoppe, Village Boutique, Service Drugs, Donuts Galore and at the city's three Thrifty Way Pharmacy locations.