This weekend witnessed an outpouring of generosity as three separate toy drives unfolded across Sampson County, promising to bring smiles to the faces of countless children this Christmas season.
In Garland on Saturday, the community rallied for the ninth Annual Community Christmas Toy Drive. Dedicated volunteers, supported by local businesses and organizations, worked tirelessly to ensure that every child in the area could experience the magic of Christmas with new toys.
A unique addition to this year’s event was the Plaincrazy Motorcycle Club, who sponsored a toy drive ‘ride.’ Participants registered by donating toys or contributing monetarily for toy purchases. Following the ride, a hot dog lunch at the Garland Senior Center was provided for participants, and Santa himself made a special appearance to take pictures with the children.
Expressing gratitude, Jamie Harper of Plaincrazy Motorcycle Club shared, “We collected right at $400 to be able to spend more on toys for the kids, plus we’ve got a trailer full of toys for them. This is what we do, guys, and I appreciate everything and everybody.”
The town of Garland, along with numerous partners such as Southern Bank, Pac Man Barbershop, and Solomon’s Foundation, displayed collection boxes for new toys, emphasizing that the toy drive goes beyond collecting toys; it is a means to brighten the lives of children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the joy of Christmas.
Toys for Tots also made a significant impact, hosting a drive-thru event in Clinton at the old College Street School. Carmen Jones, Toys for Tots Coordinator for Bladen, Duplin, and Sampson counties, expressed her passion for helping the community and highlighted their efforts to be inclusive and impactful.
Another heartfelt toy drive took place on Friday night, sponsored by Ed Gillim and the Gillim Foundation at Southern Ambiance in Clinton. Gillim, on an ongoing mission to honor his late parents, shared the success of the event, which reached communities in Greenville and Sampson County.
These selfless acts of kindness from volunteers, businesses, and organizations reflect the true spirit of the season, promising a brighter Christmas for children in Sampson County and beyond.
source: https://www.clintonnc.com/news/93552/toy-drives-held-across-county-to-help-children?fbclid=IwAR1EKM2t7uzkqDI2ZC-C9W-XdjxRJPsi2Y-3eWkdHbCIdCQozWDOVRNNqEQ
