http://qctimes.com/news/local/donated-toys-find-new-homes-for-christmas/article_0d880c86-74ae-5120-9bab-437396e465f7.html
Donated toys find new homes for Christmas Mary Louise Speer Dec 21, 2006
A huge Dora the Explorer doll peeked out from underneath a table at the Salvation Army’s Corps Community Center in Davenport. Inmates from the Community Restoration group of the Scott County Jail helped the Salvation Army transform the center into a Toy Shoppe this week filled with hundreds of dolls and Bionicles, educational toys, crayons, clothing, Spider-Man action figures and stuffed animals. The toys were donated from members of the community who adopted Angel Tree tags and area businesses and organizations. “I’m up and ready to play,” chortled a Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Learning Bunny as its box was picked up by a client. Illinois clients visited the Toy Shoppe at the Salvation Army Heritage Temple Corps center in Moline. On Christmas morning, 560 children on the Iowa side and hundreds more in Illinois will play with their new toys and try on the new clothing. These families signed up for toy and food assistance in early November, said Capt. Mikey Carter. “Usually it takes us about a week to set up the Toy Shoppe. The community restoration group did a fantastic job,” she said. Volunteers from the Salvation Army, local churches and MOPS, or Moms of Preschoolers, group from Bettendorf Christian Church helped parents and grandparents select toys, stocking stuffers and clothing. A few helpers braved the chilly weather and stood outside, loading boxes of canned food into vehicles. Colette Combs of Davenport inched her wheelchair through the stocking stuffer and stuffed toy tables as she finished selecting toys and clothing for her children who are 12, 10 and 9. The favorite items will probably be the Bratz dolls and remote-controlled vehicle that the family’s cat likely will chase, she said. “I think the cat’s going to have a field day,” she said. Volunteers from MOPS appreciated having an opportunity to help bring Christmas to families in need. The group participates in service projects once a month. “If I was a child I’d have a hard time picking something out. I’d probably pick out the bigger Dora. It would be like having a friend your size, almost,” Kelleigh Satterfield of Bettendorf said. Elizabeth Richards of Davenport appreciated having the opportunity to select gifts from such an abundance of toys. On Christmas morning, a little boy will finally have his deepest wish come true. Carter set a bicycle down in front of Essie Randle of Davenport, who is the mother of a 5-yearold son. His biggest wishes for Christmas were to have a new bike and cars, plenty of cars. “He wants a bicycle and I’m not able to get him that,” she said. “He’s been praying for the bike for so long.” Bellringers will continue collecting money through Saturday for the 2006 Salvation Army Christmas Kettle campaign. This year’s goal is to raise $505,000 to fund year-round programming. The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2245 or
[email protected]. Community Restoration Program Scott County Jail inmates who are considered low-risk or minimum security can be assigned to work details in the community through the Community Restoration Program. Participants help governmental agencies and non-profit organizations in tasks such as putting up the holiday lights display at Fejervary Children’s Zoo in Davenport and sorting out toys for the Toy Shoppe, according to http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/sheriff/jail_programs.
FROM THE WEB
Powered By ZergNet
Girlfriend Accidentally Kills Herself Saving Boyfriend
Daredevil Falls to His Death From 62-Story Building
The Cringe-Worthy Question Matt Lauer Once Asked Anne Hathaway
12 Revelations About the Matt Lauer-Ann Curry Debacle
Why You Should Always Ask Your McDonald's Cashier for a Receipt
Former Roommate's Reveal About Melania Trump