Almost 100 volunteers participated in the 19th annual St. Daniel’s New and Used Toy Drive this past Saturday.
Volunteers of all ages gathered to repair, clean, package and ship toys for needy children.
‘One of the things we like about this is it actively involves the children,? said Cheryl McNeil, who with her husband Mike co-chaired this year’s event. ‘This is so different from just taking the toys and dropping them off somewhere and then a big truck takes them who knows where.?
This year, volunteers filled more than 400 brown grocery bags with gifts, in addition to a large number of bigger toys such as bikes, outdoor plastic playsets and play kitchens. All of the bags are labeled by age and gender.
‘The amount of toys we gather every year grows ? in quantity and quality,? said McNeil. ‘This year we didn’t wrap the toys because the charities wanted to be able to look in the bags. So instead, we donated more than 100 pounds of wrapping paper and tape.?
St. Dan’s began collecting the toys on November 6. This past Saturday, organizers began set up for the drive at 7 a.m. with the other volunteers arriving around 9 a.m.
Around 11 a.m., a large moving truck and several vans took off to deliver the toys. McNeil said the designated charities change every year for the drive ? and this year the church actually selected three: The Baldwin Center in Pontiac, Haven and a St. Dan’s supported Appalachian Mission.