Charles E. Nibbs, a police officer in the V.I. Police Department, has seen a lot of tears and heartache in the lives of the youth on St. Croix. For more than 25 years he has been involved with local youth in family violence programs, DARE, the McGruff National Crime prevention program, Conflict Resolution Organization for Peace and he has testified in abuse and neglect cases.

He wants to spread love and make a difference in the lives of children on St. Croix, so he and his wife Anita Nibbs give gifts of food, necessities and educational toys to children during the holidays. The couple founded the non-profit LuvKids Television and Radio Productions.

Sunday, the couple – who don’t have any children of their own – pulled up to the Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center in a pickup truck loaded with essentials for the newest members of the community.

Nurse Paulina Henry accepted the gaily wrapped gifts for use in the nursery and for the babies. The infants will go home with a receiving blanket, socks, knit hats, teething rings and infant nail clippers and scissors.

They Nibbs also gave newborn-sized disposable diapers to Henry for use while the babies are in the hospital. And they gave a white cross on a blue beaded chain for the first two babies born in 2013.

Henry expressed deep gratitude for the donations to the hospital.

“Since Jesus is the reason for the season we wanted to give the crosses as something meaningful to the first newborns of the the year,” Charles Nibbs said.

Anita Nibbs said they delivered gifts a couple of weeks ago to about 30 children from a list of needy families they have compiled and from referrals from teachers.

They don’t just spread their love during Christmas, but throughout the year they open their wallets and get school supplies and uniforms when they hear of children in need. They also give gift baskets full of food for Thanksgiving dinners to the less fortunate in the community. Charles Nibbs said he has been giving gifts to local youth for around 25 years.

Anita said donations have been down the past couple of years and they have had to dip into their own private funds.

“At times Charles’ credit card isn’t just crying, it’s bawling,” Anita Nibbs said. “But we do what we have to do to show the kids they are loved. There are people who pretend they love children, but they don’t really show it.”

Charles Nibbs said one of those individuals who showed love to children was recently deceased Lowell Schuster, who was a big contributor to LuvKids. Charles Nibbs said the donations given today were in Schuster’s memory.

Major donors to LuvKids include Devine Funeral Services, St. Croix Christmas Boat Parade, Norma Davila, Pioneer Services, Nancy Oliver of ABC Janitors, Vacation St. Croix, and Gloria Marcus.