Man hosts Christmas breakfast, gives gifts to neighborhood kids

For the past 12 years, a Jacksonville man has made it his mission to ensure every child in the neighborhood has a merry Christmas.

Larry Rogers invited children and their families to have a warm meal in front of his home at his annual Christmas breakfast Saturday.

Rogers also had clothes, toys and books to give to the children.

“You got kids that are just not as fortunate as other kids,” Rogers said.

Rogers funds most of the event, but said people in the community also chip in by donating gifts.

Rogers said seeing the joy on the children's faces is why he does it.

“We just go the extra mile to bring joy to kids,” Rogers said.

Ola Williams, who lives next door to Rogers, said this was her first year participating in the event.

“It's like a family when you have a community coming together,” Williams said.

She said it's a way to give the children a positive influence.

“We want children steered the right way,” Williams said. “It takes a village to raise a child.”