Staff writer
Marion County Toy Run raised $12,300 for local charities to distribute toys and food to needy families this year, bringing the total raised since it began in 1994 to more than $100,000, organizers said Saturday as donations were distributed at Hillsboro State Bank.
The event also garnered about 170 toys during the Nov. 7 toy run from Marion to Hillsboro.
Representatives of ABATE of Kansas District 9, Sons of the American Legion, and Route 56 Classic Cruisers were on hand to make the donations to Goessel Ministerial Alliance, Hillsboro Ministerial Alliance, Marion Community Christmas, and Peabody Association of churches.
Need up, donations down
Marion Community Christmas serves families in the Marion/Florence and Centre school districts. Margo Yates said the organization has seen need increase while donations have decreased this year.
“It’s been a little slow this year,” she said.
The monetary donation from the toy run will be used for groceries, as well as to provide toys for needy children. Despite the decrease in donations, the organization will not cut back its food donations, Yates said.
There are checks and balances in place to make sure families receiving donations need the help. Doing so helps maintain the support of donors, Yates said. Businesses and individuals also donate to Marion Community Christmas.
“It takes a lot of people to make it happen,” she said.
A giving tree, serving families in the Hillsboro school district, at Hillsboro State Bank still has many request cards hanging. The deadline for requests has passed, but parents who can’t afford toys for their children’s Christmas were able to fill out a card with the child’s age, gender, clothing size, and some gift ideas to place on the tree. The needy child remains anonymous.
Anyone can choose a card to buy a present for, and the gift will be directed to the appropriate child.
Gifts have been steady this year, but there have been many more requests than past years, a bank employee said.