Toy Drive makes Christmas brighter for hundreds of Ozark County children
The elf force behind the Toy Drive Ozark County Toy Drive volunteers, from left, Brent Miller, Walker House, Albert Latham, Tommy Taylor (in black hat in back) and Hunter Luna, work to help a shopper choose items for his children at the Dec. 11 Ozark County Toy Drive. Walker says she’s always impressed by the young volunteers, many in junior high and high school, that show up each year to pitch in with the effort.
Candy baggers Many volunteers help the Ozark County Toy Drive in various ways. Above: This group of volunteers, which included community members and Gainesville High School FBLA members, helped organize and assemble several hundred bags of candy that were given to parents to fill children’s stockings on Christmas morning.
The youngest of the candy bagging helpers were 4-year-old Bonnie Workman, left, and 7-year-old Ezra Yarger, granddaughters of Times owners Norene and Tim Prososki. Ezra is the daughter of Times publisher and advertising manager Jenny Yarger and her husband Zack. Bonnie is the daughter of Aaron and Jessica Workman.
Toys and other gifts for several hundred Ozark County children were distributed Saturday, Dec. 11, at this year’s Ozark County Toy Drive. The event was held in the former Senior Center building on Third Street in Gainesville.
“We had plenty of toys, but it seemed like we were down a little in the number of people standing in line for toys this year,” said chairperson Nancy Walker, who estimated around 300 to 400 children are aided by the event each year. “…but we had lots of good volunteers. We had lots of young helpers who were enthusiastic. They didn’t act like they were being put out or shoved into it. They all had a great attitude... everyone from the present carriers to the gift wrappers.”
Dozens of volunteers help every year with a number of jobs including donating money and gifts, hauling many pickup loads of toys from Walker’s home to the Toy Drive, bagging up candy and other items to pass out to parents.
Other volunteers set up the display tables and served as gift wrappers, table assistants and gift carriers who accompany parents and carry the gifts from the tables to the wrapping stations.
The event allows anyone from Ozark County to stand in line. Walker says parents or adults who are “shopping” receive a number at the door in the order they arrive.
Eight shoppers are allowed in the building at a time. Each shopper is accompanied by a carrier, who often helps the parent or guardian choose gifts for their children. Each shopper is allowed one large toy item and two stocking stuffers, or smaller items, per child.
The items are taken to the gift wrapping table, where volunteers wrap and package all the gifts, so they are ready to put under the Christmas tree.
This year’s toy drive included 35 “big” items such as bikes, red wagons, tricycles and other gifts that averaged more than $25 each, Walker said. Parents drew numbers for those gifts, which were given out in addition to the three other items.
In addition to the gifts, each child receives a “jelly bag” as Walker refers to them, which includes a jar of peanut butter, a jar of jelly, Kraft macaroni and cheese and a sleeve of crackers. They also receive a stocking bag filled with candy and an apple or orange.
There is also a “Mama’s room,” which has new packages of socks, undergarments and other necessities, along with clothing and home good items, that parents can take for their children.
Dora resident Virginia McMurtney made handmade quilts for the families, which was a big hit this year, Walker said.
Tanner Jones also had a table at the Toy Drive and gave away coats that he’d been collecting this year. See next week’s Times for a detailed story on Tanner’s coat project.
“It sure was cold this year,” Walker said, referencing Saturday’s return to freezing early-morning temperatures following Friday’s nearly 80-degree weather.
Nancy said there’s no time for rest. She begins plans for next year’s event the day after Christmas.
“As soon as it’s over, we start again. There are good sales immediately after Christmas. I have totes with lids. So I shop and store them there that way I can protect anything I buy. I have a storage shed at home that is often filled early in the year,” she said.
Walker said the toy drive, which is totally supported by gifts and donations, has received donations ranging from $1 to $1,000.
“There are so many needs in this area. But there are also so many people who make the toy drive possible. It just makes you feel very humble to live in an area where we’re blessed with so many good-hearted people. And we also got donations from a long way away too.”
The need for donations continues as Walker prepares now to shop the after-Christmas sales to prepare for next year’s toy drive.
Donations to the Ozark County Toy Drive may be mailed to Walker at 378 Harlin Drive, Gainesville, MO 65655.