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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Fayetteville Rotary Club and the Fayetteville Fire Department are always a part of organizing the drive. The fire department always sets up a roadblock as a fundraiser, sends boxes out to the community, and packs boxes with donated toys. Fire Chief Tony Kimbrough said the responses he sees from recipients are always very special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe try to touch all the kids that we can, and that\u2019s the pure enjoyment for myself and the rest of the crews that are working,\u201d Kimbrough said. \u201cIt\u2019s always great to see kids light up when they know they\u2019re opening toys from under the tree.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That benefit also goes to the parents, as they know their kids will experience Christmas even if they are in a tight spot. Scripps said many people don\u2019t like to ask for help, but that is why the toy drive exists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re here to help,\u201d Scripps said. \u201cIf you need it, we want you to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Elk Valley Times typically serves as one of the sign-up locations for the drive, and Scripps said she has heard many stories from families who really need the help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey may have recently had a house fire, or somebody might have recently lost a job, and they\u2019re worried about whether or not their kids are going to get Christmas this year,\u201d Scripps said. \u201cI\u2019ve seen families cry and just want to hug you when they are able to pick their stuff up, and they know their kids are going to get something for Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The drive only works with children up to age 12. If someone doesn\u2019t qualify, the organizers point the family toward another organization that can help. Scripps said that the spirit of giving is a part of Christmas, and the community has been remarkable with their participation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over 30 businesses across Lincoln County serve as collection sites for toys, and each year, the drive raises thousands of dollars. Every dollar that is collected goes toward the children. Scripps said the drive wouldn\u2019t be possible without the help of people, businesses, churches, and schools that donate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThese people are local people, and we could not do it without them. They are so appreciated for all that they do,\u201d Scripps said. \u201cOne of these days when these kids get a little bit older, and they kind of look back on this, they\u2019ll see the full picture and realize what this community\u2019s all about.\u201d GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" THE CHRISTMAS season is all about the spirit of giving, and what better way to give than to help children in the community have a wonderful holiday season? The Lincoln County Toy Drive has been pursuing that goal for over 50 years, and there is no doubt it has made this community a better place. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":21108,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21106","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/fayetteville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/11\/1-6-1024x683.png\")
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