PHOTO PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
SPREADING CHRISTMAS SPIRIT … Never Let Go Ministries, Mary and Victor Juarez, went to the Juvenile Detention Center on Wed. Dec. 17, and played Santa after they shared their story with the youth. They spoke to the youth about their choices in life and explained how their choices affect their loved ones and friends also. They played Christmas trivia with the youth, and each one was able to win a wrapped gift. Each youth received a NLG blanket in memory of Jacob Kwiatkowski, who was at the JDC when he was a teen. His father, Chad, donates every year to the blanket drive in memory of Jacob, who lost his life in 2016. The Women’s Giving Circle of Defiance also donate towards the NLG blankets and Christmas with the youth. Each youth also received a teen devotional, a little inspiration booklet, candy cane with the story card, stress less bags from Miss Edgerton Felicity Thiel, NLG frisbees, homemade laminated ornaments, and homemade cookies from several friends who baked many cookies. NLG also took pop and candy. Victor and Mary reminded all of them to keep HOPE in their hearts, and that they CAN make a difference in the world. They asked the youth to remember that this Christmas should be a Christmas of Hope for all of them. Pictured from left to right: Ashley Rice and Treya Brown, teachers at JDC, and Mary and Victor Juarez.