BATON ROUGE - Metro Council member Tara Wicker said she wants this year's South Baton Rouge Christmas Parade to bring hope to many families in the area.

The parade, themed "A Christmas of Hope," is set for Dec. 5 starting at 10 a.m. It begins and ends at McKinley High School.

Wicker said seeing children receive gifts during Christmas is one of the best sources of hope she's ever seen.

"That is really what this event is all about, the ability to restore the hopes and dreams of kids who otherwise would lose their passion and belief... if not for this event," Wicker said.

The parade will be followed by the District 10 toy giveaway on Dec. 19 at the Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Church. Toys will be distributed from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. to pre-registered families in need. People who want more information or who want to donate and help the parade and giveaway out should call Councilwoman Wicker at  (225) 389-5140 or (225) 317-1849.