By: Tom Williams | Dec 26, 2025
Clarksdale, Miss. — The holiday spirit was on full display in Clarksdale as the second annual Jenkins Toy & Scooter Drive filled the Clarksdale High School Gymnasium with smiles, laughter, and generosity just days before Christmas.
Hosted by NFL standouts Elgton Jenkins of the Green Bay Packers and J.T. Gray of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with the Jenkins Impact Foundation, the event provided more than 200 toys and over 100 scooters to children across the community. Each child received a ticket upon arrival, allowing them to choose a toy of their own — a simple gesture that brought excitement and joy to hundreds of young faces.
“We’re giving back to the kids, and we pray we’re able to do this every year,” Jenkins’ mother, Delandra Jenkins, said. “It’s a blessing to see the smiles on the kids’ faces. It’s truly a blessing to be a blessing.”
The event also held special meaning for the Jenkins family. Shirts bearing the number 74 — Elgton Jenkins’ football number — were given away, honoring his roots that began at W.A. Higgins Middle School in Clarksdale.
“All my kids enjoyed giving back,” Delandra Jenkins said. “They grew up here, and it means a lot to be able to pour back into the same community that poured into them.”
In addition to the toy and scooter giveaway, the holiday celebration included a festive meal exclusively for senior citizens, with the first 50 seniors in attendance receiving special holiday gifts. The evening reflected a multigenerational spirit of giving, ensuring that both young and old felt the warmth of the season.
Delandra Jenkins also expressed gratitude to the organizations that helped make the event possible, including the Clarksdale Police Department, the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Department, and Clarksdale High School for opening its gymnasium to host the event.
“Elgton wants to thank everyone who came out to support,” she added, noting that the Packers lineman is currently recovering from a knee injury that ended his season. “Even while healing, his heart is still with Clarksdale.”
As families left the gym with toys, scooters, and memories in hand, the Jenkins Toy & Scooter Drive once again proved that giving back is more than an event — it’s a tradition rooted in love, gratitude, and community pride.
*To report a spelling or grammar error or inaccurate information, please email us at info@clarksdaleadvocate.news. Please include the headline.