Barbie
dolls, building blocks and bicycles. Thousands of toys filled this warehouse
Saturday morning, as Action Ministries gave away bundles of Christmas presents
to parents.
"She's
going to be happy," said Tomeka Hill, one of the recipients. "Toys, educational toys, books, clothes, shoes, etc."
Hill is talking about her 5-year-old daughter. Hill is one of more than 700 families registered for the non-profit's White
Christmas toy distribution. Action Ministries assists low income families in
the area.
"We
did our intake, that's where we do our applications for the clients, back in
October, and since then people have been going out shopping and bringing in
toys," said Laurie Cook, director of Action Ministries. "It's just really amazing."
More
than 1,600 kids will wake up Christmas morning and get bags of toys
or a bicycle. All of the gifts were donated by churches, organizations, and
people who just want to help.
"It
makes me feel like I'm doing a good deed for the community," said Chris Watkins, he's volunteering with his Troop 643 of the Boy Scouts, Inc.
Dozens
of volunteers and donators personally handed over bags full of toys and loaded them into cars;
never meeting the children they've helped.
"I
don't want to see their faces because it would be way too emotional," said Christy Beckham, a volunteer donated toys with her coworkers to help 13 children. "But it's
great, and I'm so glad. I mean, look at all these presents; look at all these
volunteers. It's really magical."
And
while some parents were speechless with these generous donations, Tomeka had
plenty of words to express her gratitude.
"Happy, joyful, appreciative, thankful and blessed," Hill said.
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