At least 33 children from the Bladenboro area will go Christmas shopping Tuesday, thanks to the third annual Christmas for Children program.

"We're pleased," said Bladenboro Police Chief Danny Russ. "We had hoped to take 25 kids shopping, now we're up to 33, and donations are still coming in."

The children will be taken to Lumberton Tuesday on a shopping trip, and treated to a pizza party at the Pizza Palace Restaurant in Bladenboro.

Russ said that while the deadline has passed, donations are still being accepted. Last year, leftover funds were used to supply elderly residents with food and essentials.

"The more we can raise," he said, "the more we can help."

For more information, contact the Bladenboro Police Department at 863-3333.

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