HAZARD – This year kids will have gifts under their Christmas tree thanks to several businesses around Perry County.

Coal companies from around the county raised money all year long to help needy children in this area. Last week they met for their biggest event of the year – Shop with a Coal Miner – at the Magic Mart store in the Lothair community of Perry County.

More then 50 coal miners, business leaders, public officials, and politicians turned out to help children from around the area have a great Christmas this year by helping Coal for Kids sponsor the purchasing of Christmas presents for nearly 100 children from schools in Perry, Leslie, and Knott Counties.

“We will be buying 100 kids 100 dollars worth of Christmas presents,” said Ricky Campbell of Pine Branch Coal. “If they were to go overm say to hundred and fifty dollars or so, we really don’t care. We have the money to back it. We just want them to have a Christmas.”

Campbell approached County Clerk Haven King last year and suggested they help kids like this all year round. King noted that since Campbell’s suggestion they help kids each month with needs they may have.

“Coal for Kids is working. We helped 290 children last month because of our coal miners donating 10 dollars a month,” said King. “This works because the coal miners donate say 900 dollars a month and the coal company will match it and donate the same, in return making 1,800 dollars.”

Campbell noted that the best part of the program is that all of the money is distributed out to the kids.

“It’s a good feeling knowing that you helped a kid get presents they may not have got this year for Christmas,” said Campbell. “Any time you can help a kid it makes it worth while.”

Children from the three areas shopped their hearts out, some buying smaller gifts so they can get more and some going all out and getting bicycles for themselves.

One woman brought her three of the four grandchildren out to the event after they were selected to participate.

“It’s for the children, it’s just wonderful,” said Shirley Couch of Delphia. “If it wasn’t for the coal miners, our Christmas wouldn’t happen. God bless them they are just great.”

Couch said while looking with a humble stare, that the coal miners in this area are some of the best hearted people for doing something like this to help children who need it.

The event lasted nearly four hours as children debated on which toys and merchandise they wanted. David Greg of Emeco assisted one child, Ryan Christian, during the event. As the Herald followed the two around, Christian insisted on using his $100 to buy gifts for his family. He needed gifts for his younger brothers, parents (especially his dad which shared Christian’s hobbies), his uncle, and even his pets. Greg had to urge Christian to purchase something for himself.

“You need to remember that you need some gifts, too,” Greg expressed to Christian.

After the event, Greg commented to the Herald that days like this shows where a child’s heart lies.

David Greg is from Australia and recently moved to London, Kentucky to work for Emeco.

“This is a great program, there is nothing like it,” said Greg.

At the end of the day, many children walked away happy. You would notice coal miners and other workers taking money out of their own pocket to buy more for the children.

In total Hope for Tomorrow, led by Haven King with the help of Coal for Kids, Friends of Coal, and other organizations, was able spend $10,513.31 on 100 children for Christmas.