'Gingerbread Express' Making A Stop At Rhode Island State House

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Gingerbread Express is once again making a stop at the Rhode Island State House. This week, lawmakers will gather for the event, which helps provide holiday gifts for children in need around the state.

Friday's celebration will be hosted once again by Cranston Senator Hanna Gallo and Nancy Miller, the wife of Cranston Senator Joshua Miller. This is the 19th year that the Rhode Island Senate has joined in the program.

The "Gingerbread Express" is a program that provides toys and other gifts to the Rhode Island's Children's Fund to be distributed to needy children around the state. Representatives from the organization will gather in the State House at 12 p.m. to collect the gifts purchased and wrapped by lawmakers and their staff.

Each year, the drive anonymously pairs donors with public school children in need. Earlier in the year, the children wrote down their age, clothing size and any other gifts they hope to receive on special gingerbread tags that were then distributed within the State House. Usually, gift bundles include an outfit, underwear, socks, a fun toy or game and a book.