Christmas Wish Prompts Generosity During Holidays

Wednesday, December 5th 2007, 5:27 pm

By: News On 6

A Christmas wish prompted an outpouring of help for a Tulsa family in need and now more families will get help over the holidays. The News On 6â€™s Emory Bryan reports it started with a little boy who had just one wish for Christmas, he didn't ask for presents, he just wanted a Christmas tree. The Tulsa police picked out just one of the needy families they encountered during the last year and when the story of their situation appeared on television on Tuesday night, many viewers offered to help.

Six-year-old Malachi Williams just wanted a tree for Christmas and through the generosity of Tulsa Police Department, he got one. That simple gift was enough to overwhelm Malachi's mother, but after their story appeared on the News On 6, generous viewers stepped forward to do much more.

The police department has taken dozens of calls from people wanting to help.

"We've seen it happen, it's absolutely amazing, the calls, the people wanting to help out," said Officer Jason Willingham.

People like Linda Hargraves were calling. She gets by on social security and some craft work she sells at flea markets, but she saw a need.

â€œBecause they have nothing, and before I came to live in this building, I had nothing, I was almost on the streets,â€ said Linda Hargraves of Tulsa.

The police department already had plans to deliver presents to Malachi and his mother, and now they are able to help more families in similar circumstances.

"We have 10 families and all of these families have suffered some sort of loss, they've been victims of crime and a couple are just having a hard time getting by, but all of the families have a story and all of them are tragic stories," said Officer Willingham.

Through the generosity of Tulsa Police and viewers, Malachi and his mom, and nine other families will have a better Christmas. This is all part of the KVOO Christmas Crusade, in cooperation with Tulsa Police who helped identify these families in need and as they point out, there are more families in need.

Watch the video: Making Happy Holidays For Local Families