Knock, And He'll open the door. Vanish, And He'll make you shine like the sun. Fall, And He'll raise
Idea Transcript
Toys for Tots brightens Christmas By Andy Barrand / Twitter: @abarrandHDN Posted Dec 10, 2013 at 11:18 AM Updated Dec 10, 2013 at 11:18 AM
JONESVILLE -- A ministry which started in a small room at the Hillsdale Assembly of God Church now helps hundreds of children across Hillsdale County. Hillsdale Assembly of God parishioner Val Seiy brought the ministry to the church 13 years ago when she began collecting used toys and gifts to give to families in need during the holidays. Today the church is an official Toys for Tots distribution location; new and used toys fill four rooms of the church. As the doors of the church opened Monday morning, some 50 people waited in line for their opportunity to make the holidays a little brighter for their families. Church volunteers spent time with each client, helping them to pick out the right gifts for their children. Throughout the week the church will receive additional toys from collection sites across the county. The church will be distributing items through Saturday. Seiy expects donations from students at Hillsdale College, and schools from around the area. Every year area school systems compete to see who can collect the most toys for Toys for Tots. This year the church received an additional shipment of toys from the Toys for Tots Foundation. The foundation sent 1,300 toys to be distributed. “We got a lot of really good stuff from the foundation,” Seiy said. “We received a lot of toys for older children.“ State Representative Ken Kurtz stopped by the church Monday morning to visit with volunteers before the doors opened. Kurtz is a board member of the church’s Hands of Mercy ministry. He complemented Seiy and the other volunteers on all their hard work throughout the year. “As the program has grown over the years others have got involved,” he said. “These type of agencies giving at a time of giving solidifies our purpose as a community.” “We must take care of the people in our backyard first,” he added. Last year 178 families with 462 children were helped through the Toys for Tots program at the church. Seiy said she expects to help the same amount or more this year. “It has been a great community outreach program for the church,” said Dennis Haarer, senior pastor. The church works closely with the Salvation Army to make sure the efforts of the two organizations aren’t duplicated. Those receiving assistance from Toys for Tots can’t be receiving assistance from the Salvation Army. Each child received two or three new toys for each child, stocking stuffer items, a couple used items and a board game to be shared by the entire family. Parents also had the opportunity to pick an item for themselves off of a table full of donated items. This year the church is also giving away seven bikes at the end of the week. Seiy said she collects toys all year for the distribution.
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