A local cafe is working to put smiles on the faces of children on Christmas morning.

JennaBugs Cafe is hosting its first toy and gift drive for the holiday season. Owner Jennifer Bodden is looking forward to the days leading up to Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 17. It is scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Baptist Church, 41 Delway Hwy., Rose Hill. The church is located near the restaurant.

Every year, the event is held for staff members. But this year, she decided to switch it up by having the restaurant host it to give, rather than receive. Donations will benefit children from the Union district and other areas of Sampson County as well.

“That way it sends out a message that we’re not all about getting for ourselves,” Bodden said. “We can give to others, especially knowing there’s children who don’t get a whole lot.”

Bodden began working at the restaurant when she was a teenager attending school in the Union School District. The restaurant is open throughout the week and serves breakfast, lunch and dinners on Friday.

The message of giving is something she wants to communicate with her family and other community members as well. Gifts may be dropped off at JennaBugs Cafe, 88 Delway Hwy., Rose Hill, or Ribeyes Steakhouse of Clinton, 100 Westover Road, Clinton.

“I think it’s important to show that there’s still people who care in the world,” Bodden said about being unselfish. “I think it’s important for people to see that not everything is about yourself.

“It’s about others and it’s about looking through someone else’s eyes. Someone always has it worse off than you.”

Bodden said a variety of gifts will be accepted through Dec. 16. One of the things she’s donating is a gift basket, which includes items for children to give to their parents.

“If there’s a brother and two sisters, they can pick a thing out of that basket to give to their parents,” Bodden said. “That’s something I’m doing. I think all children want to give their parents something and some of them can’t.”

For more information, contact JennaBugs Cafe at 910-532-6040.

By Chase Jordan

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Reach Chase Jordan at 910-249-4617. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd and like us on Facebook.