Port Arthur LNG is helping make this holiday season a little brighter by partnering with Jefferson County Constable Christopher Bates for the annual Christmas with the Constable toy drive.
Six years ago, Jefferson County Precinct 2 Constable Christopher Bates embarked on a mission to help the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program in Port Arthur. With his typical can-do attitude and boundless energy, Constable Bates set out to organize a toy drive. In 2017, Port Arthur LNG began partnering with the local law enforcement officer to grow the event, and last Christmas, 1200 children in Port Arthur and surrounding communities had a brighter holiday.
The 6th Annual “Christmas with the Constable” Toy Drive will be held Friday, December 11, at 6:00 pm. While it will have a different format due to COVID-19 restrictions, Constable Bates expects a big turnout to meet his goals for collecting toys for boys and girls in the community.
“It’s been a tough year, and the more toys we can collect, the more children the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program can help,” said Constable Bates, also a member of Port Arthur LNG’s Community Advisory Committee. “Partnering with Port Arthur LNG has allowed this annual event to continue to bless the community during the holidays.”
“Constable Bates’ willingness to help others during this season of giving makes this a memorable event to sponsor from year to year,” said Marvin Ivey, Senior Project Director for the Port Arthur LNG project. “It’s leaders like Chris Bates that make Port Arthur a special community for developing a project.”
The 2020 event will still feature the delicious gumbo dinner and Christmas carols sung by Constable Bates, but new to this year participants will get a bonus of being able to enjoy a drive-in holiday movie.
The price for admission to the annual event is the donation of two unwrapped toys – one for a girl and a boy. The toy drive and movie will be staged in the parking lot of the Texas Artists Museum (TAMS), 3501 Cultural Center Drive in Port Arthur. For more information about the event or to volunteer, contact Constable Bates at [email protected] or 409-983-8335.