The holiday season can bring joy and cheer to many, but for some, it can be a time of struggle. That's why CoreCivic employees across the country step up to give back and support their local communities year after year, collecting and distributing donations.  

Below are a few ways CoreCivic facilities nationwide participated in holiday season giving.

Central Arizona Florence Correctional Complex in Florence, Arizona, presented a check to the Florence Police Department to help support their "Shop with a Cop" program. The Shop with a Cop program partners a police officer with a child in need for a holiday shopping spree. 

Central Arizona facility also donated turkeys to a local senior center, churches, and the town of Florence to help families in need celebrate the holidays.  

Finally, employees held a toy drive in support of a local nonprofit organization called Youth Haven, which supports children living in foster care, single parent households or low-income households.  

California City Immigration Processing Center in California City, California, donated $5,000 to the Marine Toys for Tots East Kern County program. The donation will go toward supporting children who may not receive presents otherwise during the holiday season.  

Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, California, participated in the local Prison Fellowship Angel Tree program, which supports children of incarcerated parents during the holiday season. This year, more than 450 children will receive gifts thanks to this effort.  

At Bent County Correctional Facility in Las Animas, Colorado, residents crocheted stockings that staff filled with candy and then donated to a local hospice center and an elementary school. Staff also participated in a local Angel Tree program, providing gifts for 30 children.

At Commerce Transitional Center in Commerce City, Colorado, staff and residents collected food and canned goods to donate to a local food bank.

Staff at Crowley County Correctional Facility in Olney Springs, Colorado, participated in a local Angel Tree program, providing gifts for 42 children and meals for 19 families.   

Staff at Lake City Correctional Facility in Lake City, Florida, collected and donated gifts to the local Guardian ad Litem Program, which helps to support a child's best interest in court by providing them with an advocate. 

Staff at Coffee Correctional Facility in Nicholls, Georgia, collected and donated toys for children at a local elementary school.

Staff at Midwest Regional Reception Center in Leavenworth, Kansas, participated in a holiday toy drive for the Salvation Army and raised more than $1,200 to support the organization.  

Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility in Tutwiler, Mississippi, donated money in support of the ELOHIM Child Care Center's Christmas giveaway as well as donated turkeys for those in need. In addition to these donations, the facility also donated $350 to buy lunch for local law enforcement as a token of appreciation for helping maintain public safety.  

Staff at West Tennessee Detention Facility in Mason, Tennessee, donated turkeys and canned goods to the town of Mason, which were then distributed to families in need.  

An employee at Whiteville Correctional Facility in Whiteville, Tennessee, turned a vision into a charitable community effort by installing a little library and blessing box full of food and supplies for those in need outside the nearby Bolivar City Hall.  

Staff at Austin Residential Reentry Center in Austin, Texas, donated 40 turkeys to a local church to help families in need this holiday season.  

Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Dilley, Texas, presented the city administrator and mayor with a $1,300 donation for the local food bank.  

Every year, an administrative clerk at Houston Processing Center in Houston, Texas, crochets soft toys for students at a local elementary school. In addition to the toys, staff raised money to give the kids a Santa Parade and pizza party to celebrate the holidays.

Staff at T. Don Hutto Detention Center in Taylor, Texas, collected canned goods and donated them to a local food bank.  

Staff at James River Residential Reentry Center in Newport News, Virginia, put together care packages for the homeless filled with blankets, hats, scarves, personal hygiene items and more.