This week, while most people were finishing out their work weeks early or already spending Christmas Eve with loved ones, a handful of Wadesboro citizens were at work, playing Santa to needy families in Anson County.

Vancine Sturdivant, who started Faith-Based Center of Hope out of her home three years ago, spent Dec. 22-24 delivering toys, clothes and winter coats to 34 families in the area.

Sturdivant and her husband, William, were joined at one of the recipient's homes on Wednesday morning, Dec. 23, by many of the biggest contributors to the Christmas gift-giving campaign, which is one of the three major projects the Faith-Based Center of Hope takes on each year.

The Sturdivants were joined by Anson County Commissioner Claude Spencer,

Anson County Magistrate Weaver Thomas, Deacon Robinson, Anson County Clerk of Superior Court Mark Hammonds, and two representatives from Congressman Larry Kissell's office, Tom Thacker and Leanne Powell. Kissell was "by far the biggest contributor this year," Sturdivant said.

However, Sturdivant gestured to those who gathered at the home of one of the recipients Wednesday and said, "This is who gave me the money to buy all the toys."

She explained that every year, the families contact her organization, give their wish lists and then, with donations, the gifts are purchased and delivered just before Christmas.

"We help black families, white families, whoever, it doesn't matter to us," Sturdivant said. "One lady contacted us on Sunday and said all her family needed was winter coats so we got them some coats."

"The work being done by the Faith Based Center of Hope embodies the best of the American spirit, and the Christmas spirit," Kissell said. "I was honored to be asked to play a small part in this project; and I have a great deal of respect for the work being done by Vancine Sturdivant and her partners in this worthy cause."