The Lawrence County Young Professionals helped local children have a good Christmas again this year. The LCYP’s fundraising efforts netted $9,000 toward the cause.

The former South Point High School was converted into Santa’s workshop on Dec. 14-15 as clothes, food and toys were distributed to 400 needy children in Lawrence County for the group’s Secret Santa program.

This year, the LCYP promoted health and wellness by ensuring the food within the baskets was healthy.

“We decided to do the food basket because some kids rely on their school meals as the only meals they get,” Jessica Cornett, chair of the LCYP, said in an earlier interview with The Tribune. “These same kids will be home over the holidays for a while and won’t have the school meals they are used to.”

LCYP partnered with local schools and the Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action Organization to determine which children were selected to be part of the program. The goal every year is 500 kids, Cornett said.

“We give forms to the schools and the CAO and they decide from there,” she said. “The schools really know which children are needy.”

Yard signs were placed at any residence or business that donated $100 or more.

“The yard signs are a good way for people who donate to be recognized,” Cornett said. “It is well-deserved recognition for those people and businesses.”

A silent auction was held at this year’s chamber of commerce awards banquet.

“Several businesses donated,” Cornett said. “We also donated a lot of things ourselves.”

Money raised by the auction helped cover costs of the program.