CARTERVILLE, Ill. (WJPF) – Approximately 600 abused, abandoned and neglected children throughout southern Illinois will receive a little bit of Christmas joy this year.

Beginning Wednesday and continuing Thursday, the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children will hand out about 2,000 toys and gifts to area social service agencies. The agencies, in turn, will give the gifts to children who would otherwise have little under the Christmas tree this year.

Since its inception in 1999, the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children has raised over $2 million for area kids in need.