In 1954, Brother Joe Carrico started a program to give toys to children in need at Christmas time. Agape has coordinated it since 1994 and it has steadily grown more and more every year.
During the months of November and December, the Carrico Center becomes one big Toy Shop. In November, mothers sign-up for help for their children and are assigned a time in December to pick up their gifts and food. This covers children in the Russellville/Logan County area. Agape works with Family Resource Centers across the county to ensure as many families as possible recieve help. Plus, every year at Christmas we make 350 or more food boxes to feed families and individuals in need.
Below is an interview featuring Mike Humble and Bro. Joe Carrico. This recording is from many years ago and was broadcasted on WRUS as part of Agape's Word of Testimony radio program.
Bro. Joe's Family Christmas
WRUS hosts the Radio-thon every year. The Radio-thon is a fundraiser for Bro. Joe's Family Christmas. Callers call into WRUS during a special time frame to donate and share how Bro. Joe's Family Christmas has impacted their lives. Some Callers are volunteers that volunteer during the Bro. Joe's Family Christmas, some are recipients of the program, some are donors of the program, and some are family or friends. Each have a story to share. Their stories help spread the word and garner support for the program.
We could not do this without the help of our friends at WRUS and LTC Connect. Thank You!
The funds for this outreach comes from a community-wide effort from churches, industries, fire dept, police dept, schools, and many other sources. The Logan County High School FFA donates canned goods for our pantry. Many local businesses have decorated boxes for patrons/clients to deposit gifts in. In 2015, Farm Credit Mid America, Russelllville Office, held a toy collection. The toy collection took place December 4th, during their Holiday Open House. In 2024, Independence Bank held the Country Ham Breakfast as a fundraiser.
Below is collection of photos of various generous donations from the community. (For better viewing, click to enlarge.) We would also like you to listen to a short radio broadcast from our archive regarding the Country Ham Breakfast in 2016. Please note the dates and times are no longer relevant.
Country Ham Breakfast Broadcast 2016
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