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Bay Area Kids Visiting Loved Ones In Prison Get Toys, Cookies And Hot Cocoa

SAN BRUNO (CBS SF) – It was an extra special visit for a number of children who visited San Francisco County's Jail Number Five in San Bruno on Christmas Eve.

The Highlands Jail Ministry hosted its 13th annual "Gifts for Kids at the Gate" event, handing out gifts to children who were visiting their dads, uncles or brothers in jail.

The program's coordinator, Hermann Reiss, said it offers hope to the children, many of whom don't have gifts to open during Christmas.

KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:

"What we're trying to do is hand out these gifts so that they have something coming," said Reiss. "It can remind them of their dad as they got it when they were up here visiting."

Along with toys and other gifts, the children got cookies and hot chocolate while adults were served coffee.

The Highlands Christian Jail Ministry collects donations throughout the year to hand out to the children.

Roughly 600 inmates will be spending Christmas locked up in the San Bruno facility.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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