John Oxford
MOULTRIE — Thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations, the Children’s Cheer and Toy Shop is helping Colquitt County children to have a Merry Christmas.
Children’s Cheer and Toy Shop Director Denise Pope said donations of new and used toys have really picked up in the last one and a half weeks. After looking like the shop would be low on toys for this year, the community stepped up and helped fill the shop’s requests.
“It has really picked up,” Pope said. “We had enough donations to meet our needs.”
Although she could not give an exact number, Pope said the number of children’s requests for toys this year was the most the shop has ever had.
She said she was so thankful to all the businesses, school organizations and residents who showed their support and spent Tuesday delivering to some of those who requested toys from the shop.
“The community really came in and really supported us,” Pope said. “I would like to thank all the individuals who gave this year. It has been overwhelming this year.”
Pope said businesses like McDonald’s, National Beef, Holiday Inn Express, Mary Webb from the Department of Family and Children’s Services and clubs from Colquitt County High School and C.A. Gray Middle School all held toy drives and volunteered time at the toy shop. Arby’s also held a poker run and did a drawing for a gas grill, donated by the Home Depot, on Dec. 5, and raised $777 for the toy shop and Colquitt Food Bank.
The Dollar General in Norman Park also provided assistance for families in Norman Park.
