By Stephen Smoot
The Pendleton County Family Support Center set up 10 tables in their Franklin facility to accommodate all of the brand new toys donated for the Christmas holiday.
As it turned out, the generosity outstripped the table space.
The FSC, in partnership with local churches, took in truckloads of donated presents for several days in anticipation of the event, held last Tuesday and Thursday. The toys piled up in such large numbers, so fast that Edna Mullenax, director of the county FSC, remarked, “It was like Black Friday morning!”
The idea grew from a toy donation project originally organized by Pastor Jason Felici and his wife, Jess, when they still served in the area. During the past two years, the effort has grown.
The donations came in quickly. Mullenax shared that the previous Friday, only one of the 10 tables held toys. Several deliveries on Monday, however, ensured that families would have plenty of selection.
Each family could select two toys per child.
All of the toys were brand-new and still in their packaging. Girls could find a huge collection of dolls, including Barbie products. Other offerings consisted of a large number of toy cars and trucks, art sets, basketballs, footballs, and much more.
Mullenax shared that some parents took the presents directly home, while others wrapped them first using supplies made available by the FSC.
By Tuesday afternoon, presents for almost 75 children had been picked up with another give away scheduled for Thursday and many tables still holding gifts.
Despite all of the work involved, Mullenax said cheerfully, “We’ve had fun!”
Saint Nick’s Toy Chest represented only one of the ways in which the FSC has worked to support area families in need. They also spearheaded the Warm the Children drive regionally.
Warm the Children took monetary donations with the goal of providing individual children from families facing challenges. Each child was allotted $100 to order winter clothing online. As far as the goal for Pendleton County is concerned, Mullenax said, “We were thinking $4,000, maybe.”
Then came the spirit of the season.
Mullenax asked the Pendleton County Commission for $500 to help to meet that goal. Commissioners Carl Hevener, Roger Dahmer, and Jimmie Bennett all voted to provide $1,000 to help.
In the days that followed, donations rolled in. As of last Tuesday, the FSC had raised approximately $9,000.
Mullenax explained that families must apply to be a part of the program, but those who get approved get an online link and can then select what their child needs. There is a selected shopping list from which families or guardians can choose.
“We feel so blessed,” she said of the generosity that will help so many children in so many ways this Christmas season.
The FSC will also host a Stories with Santa program between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Friday. Santa and the Grinch will be on hand to talk to the children and take requests.
